Some regarded him as Hindu Hriday Samraat
("Emperor of Hindu Hearts"), some as a “Maharashtrian chauvinist”, championing the cause of the
Marathi Manoos, some as the greatest orator of our generation, some as the “remote control” and a
shrewd politician, while some as spawning a unique brand of fascism....like a true artist - he had a million interpretations, but undoubtedly everyone had to bow to him..and why so?
With almost 2 million attending his
stately funeral, the first public funeral at Shivaji Park,
after …..Bal Gangadhar Tilak! Yes, that Lokmanya Tilak…Bal Thackeray has
definitely entrenched himself in Mumbai’s history book.
Bal Thackeray was a literati just
like Tilak – an accomplished cartoonist, the founder-editor of Marathi
newspaper Saamna and Hindi newspaper Dopahar Ka Saamna; but shared traits with
Subash Chandra Bose – who he shared the birthday with, having no qualms in being the “Rebel” – and
with Lala Lajpat Rai who he shared his death day with. Yes, the Lion of
Mumbai – he totally dominated the Mumbai scene for more than four decade, in
fact the very name MUMBAI has to be attributed to him and Shiv Sena – the party
that he founded in 1966, much of the inspiration and ideologies being derived
from Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj (a name that still evokes zealous inspiration for many of us Mumbaikars who had the chance to study him in 4th grade) - thus the name Shiv Sena.
Mumbaikars found resonance with his philosophy, calling a
spade a spade – and sticking to his guns, all of them blazing hard. The lack of hesitancy he exhibited in
calling out anti-national elements; Shiv Sena was a huge balance that put fear
in terrorists as well as the under-world. As they said “Challenge him, and you
will regret it”. Not a fly by night operator – he knew what he wanted and there
was nothing artificial about him. The aura of invincibility stuck to him like a
cloak, thanks to the conviction he exhibited in his belief systems and that
character and attitude has farmed itself out to Mumbaikars. In this day and age, is there a politician/ neta / leadership that evokes such righteousness?
Bal Thackeray exhibited an extraordinary intelligence, initially targeting the communists, ousting them from the trade unions, then the anti-nationals and 'outsiders'; making it a US versus THEM, he definitely knew how to push the right buttons - but seemingly everything was driven with good intentions and that firm belief and conviction. The Shiv Sainiks were completely ingrained into the Mumbai ecosystem; they protected the common man. Neighborhood issues were resolved quickly, thanks to the big brother Shiv Sena who almost stood around as vigilantes, ready to prevent injustice to the ones without a voice; sometimes even helping circumvent a failed system. The belief of the common man is what provided Thackeray the staying power of four long decades, and that resulted into the homage galore with his passing with the WHO's WHO of Mumbai at his funeral.
Bal Thackeray exhibited an extraordinary intelligence, initially targeting the communists, ousting them from the trade unions, then the anti-nationals and 'outsiders'; making it a US versus THEM, he definitely knew how to push the right buttons - but seemingly everything was driven with good intentions and that firm belief and conviction. The Shiv Sainiks were completely ingrained into the Mumbai ecosystem; they protected the common man. Neighborhood issues were resolved quickly, thanks to the big brother Shiv Sena who almost stood around as vigilantes, ready to prevent injustice to the ones without a voice; sometimes even helping circumvent a failed system. The belief of the common man is what provided Thackeray the staying power of four long decades, and that resulted into the homage galore with his passing with the WHO's WHO of Mumbai at his funeral.
"Balasaheb Thackeray was a strong leader of his people
- respected and admired by many. He was outspoken but driven by his
principles," Ratan Tata
'The silence from the 2 million gathered at Shivaji Park during the last rites, demonstrated two things - the respect for Bala Saheb Thackeray…… Today the thread that bound all the seeds, broken” AMITABH BACHHAN
The Lion of Mumbai will be missed...and will be inspiration for future generations of Mumbaikars!
UPDATE: A good friend just got back from Mumbai. The rumor goes like this: He actually passed away on Monday. The announcement was made on Saturday, wonder why? The Shiva Sainiks waited for almost a 5 days to announce his demise; cause hordes of anti-social elements had descended upon Mumbai from all parts of India and Maharashta, thinking that this was their opportune moment to do some lootmaar. The Shiv Sainiks delayed the announcement, which was actually preceded by an announcement Wednesday that he wason the path to recovery. By Thursday/ Friday these anti-socials had no choice but to leave Mumbai. Thus peace was maintained
UPDATE: A good friend just got back from Mumbai. The rumor goes like this: He actually passed away on Monday. The announcement was made on Saturday, wonder why? The Shiva Sainiks waited for almost a 5 days to announce his demise; cause hordes of anti-social elements had descended upon Mumbai from all parts of India and Maharashta, thinking that this was their opportune moment to do some lootmaar. The Shiv Sainiks delayed the announcement, which was actually preceded by an announcement Wednesday that he wason the path to recovery. By Thursday/ Friday these anti-socials had no choice but to leave Mumbai. Thus peace was maintained
