Maratha Mahaveer Bal Thackeray

Maratha Mahaveer Bal Thackeray

Bal Thackeray, the man who created sensation in Indian political history is not among us. However, he still dwells in the hearts of crores of Marathas. His final journey itself was a clear reflection of the same. Born on 23 January 1926 in Pune, Bal Thackeray nor his family members probably never thought that Thackeray would enter politics and win crores of hearts. He father was, in fact, a social worker and an eminent writer who question the caste based politics in the state.

So, at the max what his family members thought was Bal Thackeray would either become a writer or a social activist. Initially that's what even Bal Thackeray did. As he turned adolescent, he showed interest in cartoons. His immense talent and strong dedication soon paved him a way to enter the prestigious Free Press Journal as a cartoonist. Thackeray's cartoons became so popular that they were even published in Times of India, which is supposedly read by the elite class and the high educated persons.

Bal Thackeray was leading a happy and contended life. Yet there was something that still kept Thackeray sleepless. The problems faced by Marathi community with the invasion of cosmopolitan culture and scores of jobless youth made him think to do something good for his society. That was, in fact, the founding stone, which eventually labelled Thackeray as the 'Maratha Mahaveer.' Thackeray moved out of Free Press Journal and founded Marmik (a cartoon weekly) followed by Marati news paper Saamna and Hindi news paper Dophar Ka Saamna.

Controversies:

The Election Commission of India banned Bal Thackeray from voting and contesting in elections for a period of six years starting from December 1999 to December 2005. The commission took this decision after a case was filed against Bal Thackeray by Maharashtra Government for allegedly appeal to people for voting on caste and communal basis. After a gap of six years, Bal Thackeray voted again in 2006 BMC elections. In 2009 general elections, there was no ban on Bal Thackeray but then he didn't vote due to his illness.

On February 14, 2006 a group of Shiv Sena members attacked women who were celebrating Valentine's Day in Mumbai. Bal Thackeray apologized over the incident. He said he instructed his followers not to attack women. Bal Thackeray was against the celebration of Valentine's Day. He termed Valentine's Day as a-Bharatiya (un-India) and said it was indecent. These boycotts made Shiv Sena supporters attack the stalls, which did business based on Valentine's Day.

Passes away:

After battling with life for the past few months, on November 17 at his residence Matoshree, Bal Thackeray, closed his eyes forever leaving crore in utter pain. As the news was confirmed by the doctors, sea of Shiv Sena activists thronged his residence to have last glimpse of the legendary leader. It may be noted that Bal Thackeray first complained of breathlessness in July 2012 and since then he had been in and out of hospital.

Last rites:

Bal Thackeray's final journey has been etched in golden letter in Indian history. He was first person (who didn't become a chief minister nor was a government authority) to receive national honours. He was cremated at Shivaji Park, the place where he founded Shiv Sena on Vijayadashami. Bal Thackeray and his life might be filled with controversies but for crores of people in Maharashtra, he's a God. And that's what matters the most!