SHRI BALA SAHEB THACKERAY & HINDUTVA

SHRI BALA SAHEB THACKERAY & HINDUTVA
The Profile of Shri Balasaheb Thackeray
Shiv Sena Chief Shri Balasaheb Thackeray is the living legend of Indian politics. Amidst other political pigmies his towering personality stands out like Himalayan peaks .His enigmatic persona has won the hearts of millions of Maharashtrians as well as fellow countrymen. Balasaheb is a mass leader in true sense of the word and his contribution to the promotion of Hindutva has been remarkable. His political ideology is a curious mix of nationalist agenda , pro Hindu stance and sons of the soil policy. He launched Shiv Sena on 30th October, 1966 with a great vision for Maharashtra and it's people .It was formed to give the due right to Maharashtrians who were ousted in their own homeland. After accomplishing this task successfully he advocated the cause of firebrand Hinduism which gave him immense popularity on national and international front. He heads the political organisation Shiv Sena whose journey to stardom has been a long, bumpy ride. From 'sons of the soil' slogans in the back-alleys of Mumbai to hardcore Hindutva. From Municipal Corporation to Mantralaya, The Shiv Sena has come a long way. Few will deny the role of Shiv Sena Chief in altering the state's social and political agenda .It is perhaps the only party which without mounting platitudes, allows backwards and Brahmins to co-exist under one roof. This explains why Shri Thackeray stands heads and shoulders above his peers, a fact his critics find difficult to stomach. Though routinely railed for his views and ideology, public criticism has hardly dampened Shri Thackeray's invincible spirit ."I will fight till the end ," is his mission statement. Shiv Sena Chief Shri Balasaheb Thackeray is very open by nature. He is not the person who would think one thing and say something else. Sometimes he had to pay political price for this frank outspoken behaviour but he is least bothered. He began his career as a cartoonist and journalist and joined politics under specific circumstances. It was the joint Maharashtra movement which fueled the surcharged emotions. His exemplary skills as a cartoonist and visionary media strategist has contributed firebrand daily " Samana", Hindi Eveninger "Dopahar Ka Samana" And " Marmik". The ever rising graph of Balasaheb's political career has amazed several political observers. His impeccable oratory skills still mesmerizes the audiences with extraordinary wit and fluid style. Many of his no-holds-barred statements have triggered-off controversies but his enigma continues to enthrall media and mass. In Shiv Sena, Balasaheb does not have to issue a dictat. Whatever he says, automatically becomes an order for the partymen and followers. Shiv Sena Chief commands a special status in the party and whole heartedly accepted as a benevolent leader. Unlike leaders in other parties Balasaheb's style of functioning is entirely different. He has a Lion's share in breaking a thirty year old monopoly of Congress rule in the State. It is amazing to see that Balasaheb alone commands such unflinching loyalty of the Sena workers and boundless popularity among the masses for nearly thirty years, other political leaders can not match him even fractionally. Balasaheb is the first and only example of its kind not only in Maharashtra but also in India. Shri. Thackeray's greatest contribution to Maharashtra and Maharashtrians is the sense of pride which he inculcated over the decades among people. It was he who stressed that Maharashtrians should be treated on par with outsiders. His towering personality has inspired youths of Maharashtra to grow against all odds. It was his social commitment and sincerity of purpose which paved way for pioneering schemes like free housing scheme for slum dwellers and jobs for unemployed youths. After all, it is he who is feeding fodder to their cannon. Even his staunchest detractors will admit that Bal Keshav Thackeray is the most popular public figure of contemporary Maharashtra. For over three decades Shri Thackeray has been straddling the state's political centre stage, evoking extreme response from faithfuls and foes alike his Charm continues to rule hearts of millions of Maharashtrians.