Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray, popularly known as Bal Thackeray, was a prominent Indian politician, journalist, and the founder of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Marathi regional political party. He was born on January 23, 1926, in Pune, Maharashtra. Known for his charismatic leadership and fiery speeches, Thackeray played a key role in shaping Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Before entering politics, Thackeray worked as a cartoonist for prominent newspapers like The Free Press Journal and later started his own political cartoon weekly, Marmik. Through his cartoons and editorials, he voiced concerns about the marginalization of Marathi people in Mumbai, which became the foundation of his political ideology.
In 1966, he founded the Shiv Sena with the aim of promoting the interests of the Marathi manoos (sons of the soil) and opposing the perceived dominance of non-Marathis in Mumbai’s economy and politics. Under his leadership, the Shiv Sena gained significant support from the working-class Marathi population, especially in Mumbai.
Thackeray’s leadership was marked by his strong and controversial stances on regionalism, Hindu nationalism, and anti-immigration policies. He opposed the growing influence of South Indians, Gujaratis, and North Indians in Mumbai, advocating for the rights of the local Marathi community.
Over time, the Shiv Sena expanded its agenda to include broader Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) issues and formed alliances with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Bal Thackeray’s influence in Maharashtra politics grew, and he became a key figure in state and national politics.
Despite not holding any official position, Thackeray wielded significant power through his party and was often regarded as a “remote control” of the state government when the Shiv Sena was in power. He was known for his unapologetic and outspoken nature, which earned him both admirers and critics.
Thackeray was also a cultural icon, promoting Marathi pride and traditions through festivals, literature, and cinema. However, his tenure was not without controversies, as he faced criticism for divisive rhetoric and allegations of inciting violence, including the Mumbai riots of 1992
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