Bal Thackeray: Difference between revisions

{{Tone|date=August 2021}}{{short description|Indian politician}}

| nationality        = [[Indian people|Indian]]

| citizenship        =  

| office              = Founder and 1st [[Shiv Sena|President of Shiv Sena]]<br/> & [[Shiv Sena|Shiv Sena Pramukh]]

| predecessor        = Position Created

| birth_name          = Bal Keshav Thackeray

| birth_place        = [[Poona]], [[Bombay presidency]], British India

| spouse              = Meena Thackeray (née Sarla Vaidya)<ref name="purandare1362"/>

| relatives          = [[Raj Thackeray]] (nephew) <br/> [[Thackeray Family]]

| profession          = {{hlist|Journalist|cartoonist|political activist}}

'''Bal Keshav Thackeray''' ({{IPA-mr|Marathi बाळ केशव ठाकरे Bāḷ Keśav Ṭhākare baːɭ ʈʰaːkɾeː}}; 23 January 1926&nbsp;– 17 November 2012), was an Indian politician who founded the [[Shiv Sena]], a right-wing pro-[[Marathi people|Marathi]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sBgLb8XIGR8C&pg=PA179 |title=The Modern Anthropology of India: Ethnography, Themes and Theory |last1=Berger, Peter |last2=Heidemann, Frank |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1134061112 |page=179 |date=3 June 2013}}</ref> and [[Hindu nationalist]] party active mainly in the city of [[Mumbai]]. His father was influenced by British author [[William Makepeace Thackeray]] and put his surname "Thackeray", which was then carried onto all his sons including Bal Thackeray.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/the-story-of-thackerays-roots-and-an-anglicised-surname-1623344-2019-11-28|title=The story of Thackerays: Roots and an anglicised surname}}</ref><ref name="Time world" />

Thackeray began his professional career as a [[cartoonist]] with the English-language daily, ''[[The Free Press Journal]]'' in [[Mumbai|Bombay]] (now [[Mumbai]]), but he left the paper in 1960 to form his own political weekly, ''[[Marmik (periodical)|Marmik]]''{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}. His political philosophy was largely shaped by his father [[Keshav Sitaram Thackeray]], a leading figure in the [[Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti|Samyukta Maharashtra]] (United Maharashtra) movement, which advocated the creation of a separate linguistic state for Marathi speakers. Through ''Marmik'', Bal Thackeray campaigned against the growing influence of non-Marathis in Mumbai.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} In 1966, Thackeray formed the Shiv Sena party to advocate for the interests of [[Maharashtra]] in Indian political and professional landscape, and against certain segments of Mumbai's Muslim population.<ref name="Time world" /><ref name="Kaminsky" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |title=Hundreds of Thousands Mourn Indian Politician Thackeray |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/world/asia/hundreds-of-thousands-mourn-indian-politician-thackeray.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=8 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113003656/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/world/asia/hundreds-of-thousands-mourn-indian-politician-thackeray.html |archive-date=13 November 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

He had a large political influence in the state, especially in [[Mumbai]].<ref name=":0" /> A government inquiry found that Thackeray and [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra]] [[Manohar Joshi]] incited members of the Shiv Sena to commit violence against Muslims during the 1992–1993 [[Bombay riots]].<ref name="narula99" /><ref name="fln" />

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Thackeray built the Shiv Sena by forming temporary alliances with nearly all of state's political parties.<ref name="Kaminsky">{{cite book |last1=Kaminsky |first1=Arnold P. |last2=Long |first2=Roger D. |title=India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic|year=2011 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-37462-3 |pages=693–4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VVxlfDHGTFYC&pg=PA694 |edition=illustrated |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205073008/https://books.google.com/books?id=VVxlfDHGTFYC&pg=PA694&dq= |archive-date=5 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Thackeray was also the founder of the Marathi-language newspaper ''[[Saamana]]''.<ref name="wan-ifra">{{cite news |url=http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2000/profiles/IndiaGoenka.html |title=India |publisher=WAN-IFRA |access-date=30 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410095734/http://www.wan-press.org/3may/2000/profiles/IndiaGoenka.html |archive-date=10 April 2015}}</ref> After the riots of 1992–93, he and his party took a [[Hindutva]] stance. In 1999, Thackeray was banned from voting and contesting in any election for six years on the recommendations of the Election Commission for indulging in seeking votes in the name of religion. Thackeray was arrested multiple times and spent a brief stint in prison, but he never faced any major legal repercussions.<ref name="Time world" /> Upon his death, he was accorded a [[state funeral]], at which many mourners were present. Thackeray did not hold any official positions, and he was never formally elected as the leader of his party.<ref name=":0" />

Thackeray was born on 23 January 1926 in [[Pune]], the son of [[Keshav Sitaram Thackeray]] (also known as 'Prabodhankar') and his wife Ramabai Thackeray.<ref name="Kaminsky" /> The family belongs to the [[Marathi people|Marathi]] [[Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu]] community.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai/milestones-in-the-life-of-sena-chief-bal-thackeray/article1-960556.aspx |title=Milestones in the life of Sena chief Bal Thackeray |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120120712/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Milestones-in-the-life-of-Sena-chief-Bal-Thackeray/Article1-960556.aspx |archive-date=20 November 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=2 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="South Asia Bulletin">{{cite journal |title=Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East |journal=South Asia Bulletin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3-AUAQAAIAAJ |volume=16 |issue=2 |page=116 |year=1996 |publisher=University of California, Los Angeles |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032613/http://books.google.com/books?id=3-AUAQAAIAAJ |archive-date=2 May 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> He got his surname Thackeray from his father Keshav who was an admirer of India-born British writer [[William Makepeace Thackeray]], his father Keshav later changed his surname from Panvelkar to "Thackeray" <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-20389849 |title=The legacy of Bal Thackeray |author=Soutik Biswas |date=19 November 2012 |publisher=BBC }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oneindia.com/2012/11/18/why-bal-thackeray-had-an-english-surname-1100587.html |title=Why Bal Thackeray had an English surname |author=Sreekumar |publisher=One India |date=18 November 2012 }}</ref> Bal was the eldest of eight siblings, three among them being brothers Shrikant Thackeray (father of [[Raj Thackeray]]) and Ramesh Thackeray, and five sisters (Sanjeevani Karandikar, Prabhavati (Pama) Tipnis, Sudha Sule, Sarla Gadkari and Susheela Gupte).

Bal's father, Keshav Thackeray, was a journalist and [[cartoonist]] by profession; he was also a social activist and writer who was involved in the [[Samyukta Maharashtra Movement]] of the 1950s, which argued for the creation of a unified state called Maharashtra for [[Marathi language|Marathi]]-speaking areas with [[Mumbai]] as its capital. Bal Thackeray was inspired by his father's political philosophy.<ref name="Time world">{{cite news |title=The Firebrand Who Renamed Bombay: Bal Thackeray (1926–2012) |url=http://world.time.com/2012/11/17/the-firebrand-who-renamed-bombay-bal-thackeray-1926-2012/ |publisher=17 November 2012 Time World |date=17 November 2012 |access-date=14 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123041712/http://world.time.com/2012/11/17/the-firebrand-who-renamed-bombay-bal-thackeray-1926-2012/ |archive-date=23 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Thackeray began his career as a [[cartoonist]] in the [[Free Press Journal]] in Mumbai. His cartoons were also published in the Sunday edition of [[The Times of India]]. After Thackeray's differences with the Free Press Journal, he and four or five people, including politician [[George Fernandes]], left the paper and started their own daily, News Day. The paper survived for one or two months.<ref>Jerry Pinto, Naresh Fernandes. Bombay, Meri Jaan: Writings on Mumbai, p. 238</ref> In 1960, he launched the cartoon weekly ''[[Marmik]]'' with his brother Srikant.<ref name=":2" /> It focused on issues of common "Marathi Manoos"( [[Marathi people]] or Marathi speaking people) including unemployment, influx of migrants, retrenchment of Marathi workers and its office in Ranade Road became the rallying point for Marathi youth.<ref name="Purandare2013">{{cite book |author=Vaibhav Purandare |title=Bal Thackeray and the rise of Shiv Sena |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JS1hBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT35 |date=27 February 2013 |publisher=Roli Books Private Limited |isbn=978-81-7436-991-8 |pages=35–36 |access-date=31 March 2020 }}</ref> Bal Thackeray later stated "that not just a cartoon weekly but also the prime reason for the birth and growth of the Sena." It was Marmik issue on 5 June 1966 which first announced the launch of membership for the [[Shiv Sena]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/bal-thackerays-launch-pad-marmik/1032479/ |title=Bal Thackeray's launch pad: Marmik |work=The Indian Express |author=Sruti Shukla |date=17 November 2012 |access-date=31 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Mahārāva2001">{{cite book |author=Jñāneśa Mahārāva |title=Thackeray, life & style |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWduAAAAMAAJ |year=2002|publisher=Pushpa Prakashan |isbn=978-81-7448-092-7 |page=65 |access-date=31 March 2020 }}</ref>

The success of ''Maarmik'' prompted Thackeray to form the [[Shiv Sena]] on 19 June 1966. The name "Shiv Sena" ([[Shivaji]]'s Army) was after the 17th century [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] king. Initially, Thackeray said it was not a political party but an army of Shivaji Maharaj, inclined to fight for the Marathi ''manoos'' (person).<ref name="Prakash2010">{{cite book |author=Gyan Prakash |title=Mumbai Fables |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TeRWxaJLoDUC&pg=PA232 |date=21 September 2010 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-15317-9 |pages=228–237 |access-date=4 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205073008/https://books.google.com/books?id=TeRWxaJLoDUC&pg=PA232 |archive-date=5 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> It demanded that native speakers of the state's local language [[Marathi language|Marathi]] (the "sons of the soil" movement) be given preferential treatment in private and public sector jobs. The early objective of the Shiv Sena was to ensure their job security competing against [[South Indian]]s and [[Gujaratis]].<ref name=":2" /> In its 1966 party manifesto, Thackeray primarily blamed south Indians.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why no one dared to mess with Shiv Sena? : Special Report |website=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bal-thackeray-death-shiv-sena-harvester-of-fear/1/234428.html |access-date=9 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216185141/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bal-thackeray-death-shiv-sena-harvester-of-fear/1/234428.html |archive-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> In ''Marmik'', Thackeray published a list of corporate officials from a local directory, many being south Indians, citing it as proof that Maharashtrians were being discriminated against.<ref name="Prakash2010" />

Dr. Hemchandra Gupte, [[Mayor of Mumbai]] and the former family physician and confidant of Thackeray, left Shiv Sena in 1976 citing importance given to money, violence committed by the Shiv Sena members and Thackeray's support for Indira Gandhi and the 1975 emergency.<ref>{{cite book |title=Wages of Violence : Naming and identity in postcolonial Bombay |author=Thomas Blom Hansen |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2001 |page=238 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-y3iNt0djbQC&pg=PA238|quote=18: According to Hemchandra Gupte, a former confidante of Thackeray, his major reason for leaving the party for his growing disgust with the prominence of money and the "goonda'ization" of the party(interview , 5th october 1992). 21.Interview, 3 october 1992, with Hemchandra Gupte, physician, formerly Bal Thackeray's family doctor, and Shiv Sena's mayor of Bombay from 1971 to 1972. Dr. Gupte left Shiv Sena in 1976 because of Thackerey's support for Mrs. Gandhi and the emergency. |isbn=0691088403}}</ref>

Politically, the Shiv Sena was [[Anti-communism|anti-communist]], and wrested control of trade unions in Mumbai from the [[Communist Party of India|Communist Party of India (CPI)]]. Local unemployed youth from the declining textile industry joined the party<ref name=":4" /> and it further expanded because of Marathi migrants from the [[Konkan|Konkan region]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=Leader who brought ethnic politics to Mumbai melting pot |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bal-thackeray-leader-who-brought-ethnic-politics-to-mumbai-melting-pot/article4105715.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=17 November 2012 |issn=0971-751X |language=en-IN |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119195350/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bal-thackeray-leader-who-brought-ethnic-politics-to-mumbai-melting-pot/article4105715.ece |archive-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> By the 1980s, it became a threat to the ruling Congress party which initially encouraged it because of it rivalling the CPI. In 1989, the Sena's newspaper ''[[Saamna]]'' was launched by Thackeray.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-19/pune/35204806_1_bal-thackeray-saamna-sena-leader |title=How Sena got the title 'Saamna' for mouthpiece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029212840/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-19/pune/35204806_1_bal-thackeray-saamna-sena-leader |archive-date=29 October 2013 |work=The Times of India |date=19 November 2012 |access-date=5 December 2012}}</ref> Because of Thackeray being against the [[Mandal Commission]] report, his close aide [[Chhagan Bhujbal]] left the party in 1991. Following the [[Mumbai riots|1992 Bombay riots]], Thackeray took stances viewed as anti-Muslim and based on [[Hindutva]].<ref name=":0" /> Shiv Sena later allied itself with the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won the 1995 [[Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha|Maharashtra State Assembly]] elections and were in power from 1995 to 1999. Thackeray declared himself to be the "remote control" chief minister.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Godbole1996">{{cite book |author=Madhav Godbole |title=Unfinished Innings: Recollections and Reflections of a Civil Servant |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ItQF4g08KbwC&pg=PA414 |date=1 January 1996 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-0883-5 |page=414 |access-date=4 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101092636/http://books.google.com/books?id=ItQF4g08KbwC&pg=PA414 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

He had influence in the film industry. His party workers agitated against films he found controversial and would disrupt film screenings, causing losses. [[Bombay (film)|''Bombay'']], a 1995 film on the riots was opposed by them.<ref name=":2" />

On 28 July 1999, Thackeray was ban from voting and contesting in any election for six years from 11 December 1999 till 10 December 2005 and was not happy with this, on the recommendations of the Election Commission for indulging in corrupt practice by seeking votes in the name of religion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NM1/Thackeray-votes-after-expiry-of-ban/Article1-16731.aspx |title=Thackeray votes after expiry of ban |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=26 April 2004 |access-date=14 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111201658/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/archives/thackeray-votes-after-expiry-of-ban/article1-16731.aspx |archive-date=11 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="Banned from voting">{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/revents/01/19990199.htm#jul |title=Banned from voting |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=28 July 1999 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030425223423/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/revents/01/19990199.htm |archive-date=25 April 2003 }}</ref> In 2000, he was arrested for his role in the riots but was released because the [[statute of limitations]] expired.<ref name="Time world" /> In 2002, Thackeray issued a call to form Hindu [[suicide bomber]] squads to take on the menace of terrorism.<ref name="Thackeray for Hindu suicide squads">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-10-15/india/27292201_1_suicide-squads-annual-dussehra-rally-state-and-central-govenments |title=Thackeray for Hindu suicide squads |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=15 October 2002 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214152601/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-10-15/india/27292201_1_suicide-squads-annual-dussehra-rally-state-and-central-govenments |archive-date=14 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In response, the Maharashtra government registered a case against him for inciting enmity between different groups.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=15895 |title=Case filed against Thackeray for urging anti-terror suicide-squads |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=25 August 2007  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181915/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=15895 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> At least two organisations founded and managed by retired Indian Army officers, Lt Col Jayant Rao Chitale and Lt Gen. P.N. Hoon (former commander-in-chief of the Western Command), responded to the call with such statements as not allowing Pakistanis to work in India due to accusations against Pakistan for supporting attacks in India by militants.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-12/india/28114312_1_multiplex-owners-inclusion-of-pakistani-players-single-screen-theatres |access-date=28 February 2010 |title=Despite Sena threat, 'MNIK' opens to packed theatres across country |date=12 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811045755/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-12/india/28114312_1_multiplex-owners-inclusion-of-pakistani-players-single-screen-theatres |archive-date=11 August 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/61523/an-open-letter-to-uddhav-thackeray.html |title=An open letter to Uddhav Thackeray |date=12 February 2010 |publisher=IBN |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006062409/http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/61523/an-open-letter-to-uddhav-thackeray.html |archive-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the six-year voting ban on Thackeray was lifted in 2005, he voted for the first time in the 2007 [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation|BMC]] elections.<ref name="Voting ban lifted">{{cite news |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/oct/141009-Bal-Thackeray-Uddhav-Aditya-polling-booth-Election.htm |title=Thackeray ke Bal par... |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=14 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018072453/http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/oct/141009-Bal-Thackeray-Uddhav-Aditya-polling-booth-Election.htm |archive-date=18 October 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Eight or nine cases against Thackeray and ''Saamna'' for inflammatory writings were not investigated by the government.<ref name=":2" />

The Sena acted as a "[[moral police]]" and opposed Valentine's Day celebrations.<ref name=":2" /> On 14 February 2006, Thackeray condemned and apologised for the violent attacks by its Shiv Sainiks on a private celebration in Mumbai. "It is said that women were beaten up in the Nallasopara incident. If that really happened, then it is a symbol of cowardice. I have always instructed Shiv Sainiks that in any situation women should not be humiliated and harassed."<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]] |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-02-18/india/27813894_1_sena-mouthpiece-saamna-sena-chief-bal-thackeray-shiv-sainiks |title=Thackeray condemns V-Day attacks by Sainiks |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=18 February 2006 |location=[[Mumbai]] |access-date=13 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811045804/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-02-18/india/27813894_1_sena-mouthpiece-saamna-sena-chief-bal-thackeray-shiv-sainiks |archive-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Thackeray and the Shiv Sena remained opposed to it, although they indicated support for an "Indian alternative."<ref>{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-02-13/india/27806760_1_sena-chief-bal-thackeray-valentine-s-day-saamna |title=Thackeray suggests Indian version of V-Day |date=13 February 2006 |access-date=13 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811045812/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-02-13/india/27806760_1_sena-chief-bal-thackeray-valentine-s-day-saamna |archive-date=11 August 2011 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/right-wing-to-go-easy-on-couples-this-valentine-s-day-175815 |title=Right-wing to go easy on couples this Valentine's Day |work=NDTV.com |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217061835/http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/right-wing-to-go-easy-on-couples-this-valentine-s-day-175815 |archive-date=17 February 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Thackeray also declared that he was "not against every Muslim, but only those who reside in this country but do not obey the laws of the land...I consider such people [to be] traitors."<ref>{{cite web |author=Sherman Hollar |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1090091/Bal-Thackeray |title=Bal Thackeray (Indian journalist and politician) |publisher=Britannica Online Encyclopedia |date=23 January 1927 |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118050232/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1090091/Bal-Thackeray |archive-date=18 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Shiv Sena is viewed by the media as being anti-Muslim, though Shiv sena members officially reject this accusation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/23espec3.htm |title=Know your party: Shiv Sena&nbsp;— Lok Sabha Election 2009 |work=Rediff.com |date=23 April 2004 |access-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321204106/http://in.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/23espec3.htm |archive-date=21 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> When explaining his views on [[Hindutva]], he conflated Islam with violence and called on Hindus to "fight terrorism and fight Islam."<ref name="ibnlive">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/thackeray-rants-after-tiger-win/top/32673-4.html|title=Thackeray lashes out at Prez again |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=3 February 2007 |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611133616/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/thackeray-rants-after-tiger-win/top/32673-4.html?xml |archive-date=11 June 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with Suketu Mehta, he called for the mass expulsion of illegal Bangladeshi Muslim migrants from India and for a [[visa (document)|visa]] system to enter Mumbai, the Indian National Congress state government had earlier during the Indira Gandhi declared national emergency considered a similar measure.<ref name="Bose2006">{{cite book |author=Mihir Bose |title=The Magic of Indian Cricket: Cricket And Society in India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X8HQiMvK-bYC&pg=PA88 |year=2006 |publisher=Taylor & Francis Group |isbn=978-0-415-35691-6 |page=88 |access-date=4 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704023904/http://books.google.com/books?id=X8HQiMvK-bYC&pg=PA88 |archive-date=4 July 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Suketu2005">{{cite book |author=Suketu Mehta |title=Maximum City |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ywp765kPKhYC&pg=PA101 |date=27 September 2005 |publisher=Random House Digital, Inc. |isbn=978-0-375-70340-9 |page=101 |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704023806/http://books.google.com/books?id=Ywp765kPKhYC&pg=PA101 |archive-date=4 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

He told ''[[India Today]]'' "[Muslims] are spreading like a cancer and should be operated on like a cancer. The country...should be saved from the Muslims and the police should support them [Hindu Maha Sangh] in their struggle just like the police in Punjab were sympathetic to the Khalistanis."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kapoor |first1=Coomi |title=Fury of communal violence burns 80 km stretch from tip of south Bombay to Bhiwandi town |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19840615-fury-of-communal-violence-burns-80-km-stretch-from-tip-of-south-bombay-to-bhiwandi-town-803038-1984-06-15 |publisher=[[India Today]] |date=15 June 1984|access-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111210101/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19840615-fury-of-communal-violence-burns-80-km-stretch-from-tip-of-south-bombay-to-bhiwandi-town-803038-1984-06-15 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |language=en |quote=The Maha Sangh's meeting at Chowpatty on April 21 was billed as a gathering to obtain the blessings of the Shankaracharya of Sringeri. But Thackeray used the opportunity to deliver a highly-inflammatory speech. By his own admission he used the derogatory Marathi term of "landiya" to describe Muslims, and declared that they were spreading like cancer and should be operated upon like a cancer. The country, he said, should be saved from the Muslims and the police should support them (the Maha Sangh) in their struggle just like the police in Punjab were sympathetic to the Khalistanis. |url-status=live}}</ref> However, in an interview in 1998, he said that his stance had changed on many issues that the Shiv Sena had with Muslims, particularly regarding the Babri Mosque or [[Ram Janmabhoomi]] issue:<ref name="1998 interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jan/21nandy.htm |title=The Rediff Interview/ Bal Thackeray |work=Rediff.com |date=21 January 1998 |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120022824/http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jan/21nandy.htm |archive-date=20 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> "We must look after the Muslims and treat them as part of us."<ref name="1998 interview" /> He also expressed admiration for Muslims in Mumbai in the wake of the [[11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings]] perpetrated by [[Islamic fundamentalism|Islamic fundamentalists]]. In response to threats made by [[Abu Azmi]], a leader of the [[Samajwadi Party]], that accusations of terrorism directed at Indian Muslims would bring about communal strife, Thackeray said that the unity of Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) in the wake of the attacks was "a slap to fanatics of Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi" and that Thackeray "salute[s] those Muslims who participated in the two minutes' silence on 18 July to mourn the blast victims."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-07-20/india/27814176_1_blast-victims-serial-blasts-sena-chief-bal-thackeray |title=Mumbai's unity a slap to fanatics: Thackeray |date=20 July 2006 |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191928/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-07-20/india/27814176_1_blast-victims-serial-blasts-sena-chief-bal-thackeray |archive-date=2 January 2014 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> Again in 2008 he wrote: "Islamic terrorism is growing and Hindu terrorism is the only way to counter it. We need suicide bomb squads to protect India and Hindus."<ref>[http://ibnlive.in.com/news/politicians-indulge-in-hate-speech-with-impunity/89623-37-64.html Leaders deliver hate speech with impunity] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006141311/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/politicians-indulge-in-hate-speech-with-impunity/89623-37-64.html |date=6 October 2012 }}. CNN-IBN, 7 April 2009.</ref> He also reiterated a desire for Hindus to unite across linguistic barriers to see "a Hindustan for Hindus" and to "bring Islam in this country down to its knees."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=80435 |title=Hindustan of Hindus my dream: Thackeray |date=29 January 2007 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=20 November 2012 }}</ref>

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) supported caste based reservations based on the Mandal commission. Thackarey, despite being warned that opposition to the reservations would be politically suicidal for the Shiv Sena party, opposed the BJP over this issue and said he would initiate "divorce proceedings against the BJP"  if the BJP supported caste based reservations. This also let to his conflict with Chhagan Bhujbal, an OBC, who later left the Shiv Sena.<ref>{{cite book |title=Bal Thackeray and the rise of Shiv Sena |publisher=Roli Books |author=Vaibhav Purandare |year=2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JS1hBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT178 |page=178 |isbn=9788174369918}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-images-bal-thackeray-s-portraits-from-the-past/20121117.htm |title=Bal Thackeray on casteism |publisher=rediff news |year=2012 |access-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124152351/https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-images-bal-thackeray-s-portraits-from-the-past/20121117.htm |archive-date=24 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1990, the Islamic militant organisation [[Hizbul Mujahideen]], through the columns of an Urdu daily ''Aftab'', warned [[Kashmiri Pandits]] to leave the valley within 36 hours. Bal Thackeray got seats reserved in engineering colleges for the children of these [[Kashmiri Pandits]] in Maharashtra.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Modi|first=Chintan Girish|date=2016-02-05|title=Notes from an exile's diary|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/notes-from-an-exiles-diary/article8196537.ece|url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108144859/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/entertainment/notes-from-an-exiles-diary/article8196537.ece|archive-date=2020-11-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He was one of the first persons to help them after which Punjab also followed suit. At a meeting with them he supported the idea that the [[Kashmiri Pandits]] could be armed for their self-defence against the Jihadis.

<ref name="Behera">{{cite book |author=Navnita Behera |title=State, Identity & Violence: Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh |year=2000 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |page=232}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Ajit Chak |title=Kashmir storm |year=2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4HdKBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT62 |isbn=9781482844351}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Arvind Gigoo |title=The Ugly Kashmiri: (Cameos in exile) |year=2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sudhBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT97 |isbn=9798184240367}}</ref>

Thackeray was married to Meena Thackeray (née Sarla Vaidya) on 13 June 1948<ref name="purandare1362">{{cite book |title=Bal Thackeray and the rise of Shiv Sena |page=62 |publisher=Roli Books |author=Vaibhav Purandare |year=2013|quote=One more aspect of his personality, largely unknown, has been his love for the number 13, considered inauspicious by many. Thackeray said it is his lucky number. He married Sarla Vaidya, who became Meena Thackeray after marriage on 13 June 1948 and he launched Marmik weekly on 13 August 1960.}}</ref> and had three sons, oldest son Bindumadhav, middle son Jaidev, and youngest son [[Uddhav Thackeray|Uddhav]].<ref>{{cite news |title=A political saga of a cartoonist |url=http://www.andhrawishesh.com/home/hot-buzz/34781-a-political-saga-of-a-cartoonist.html |newspaper=Andhra Wishesh |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119075523/http://www.andhrawishesh.com/home/hot-buzz/34781-a-political-saga-of-a-cartoonist.html |archive-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Meena died in 1995 and Bindumadhav died the following year in a car accident.<ref>{{cite news |last=IANS |title=Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray passes away |url=http://www.ianslive.in/index.php?param=news/Thackerays_health_improving_Shiv_Sena-390666/TopStory/30 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |date=17 November 2012 |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203055045/http://www.ianslive.in/index.php?param=news%2FThackerays_health_improving_Shiv_Sena-390666%2FTopStory%2F30 |archive-date=3 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Uddhav succeeded his father as the leader of Shiv Sena. Uddhav's son, [[Aditya Thackeray|Aditya]] wants to continue the family dynasty by getting active in the party.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Jason |title=Aditya Thackeray: 24-year-old scion of India's controversial political dynasty |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/27/aditya-thackeray-scion-india-political-dynasty-mumbai |work=The Guardian |issue=27 November |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companie |year=2014 |access-date=3 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009200329/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/27/aditya-thackeray-scion-india-political-dynasty-mumbai |archive-date=9 October 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Raj Thackeray|Raj]] is his brother Shrikant's son. Despite Raj's breakaway from the main party, Raj continues to maintain that Thackeray was his ideologue and relations between them improved during Thackeray's final years.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1"/> Raj broke away from Shiv Sena to form his own political party called the [[Maharashtra Navnirman Sena]].

Thackeray was called ''Hindu Hruday Samrat'' ("Emperor of Hindu Hearts") by his supporters.<ref>{{cite book |title=Hindu Nationalism and Governance |author=John McGuire, Ian Copland |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2007|quote=described as the 'Supremo' of the Shiv Sena, goes by the nickname 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' or 'Emperor of the Hindu Heart'}}</ref> His yearly address at [[Shivaji Park]] was popular among his followers. In 2012, he instead gave a video-taped speech and urged his followers "to give the same love and affection to his son and political heir Uddhav as they had given him".<ref name=":0" /> Thackeray was known to convert popular sentiment into votes, getting into controversies and making no apologies for it though his son has tried to tone down the party's stance after his death.<ref name=":0" /> He was known for his inflammatory writings,<ref name=":4" /> was seen as a good orator who used cruel humour to engage his audience.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> He had a large political influence throughout the state, especially in Mumbai.<ref name=":2" /> His party never had any formal internal elections nor was he ever formally elected as its chief at any point.<ref name=":0" /> [[Gyan Prakash]] said, "Of course, the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement had mobilized Marathi speakers as a political entity, but it was Thackeray who successfully deployed it as an anti-immigrant, populist force."<ref name="Prakash2010" />

* {{url|https://news.abplive.com/news/india/indira-gandhi-karim-lala-controversy-sanjay-raut-claim-bal-thackeray-underworld-don-picture-1143764|Bal Thackeray with Karim Lala}}

* {{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/841488.stm|title=Profile: Bombay's militant voice|website=[[BBC]]|date=19 July 2000}}

* {{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/7880-15.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121203544/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/7880-15.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-11-21|title=Funeral pictures|website=[[IBNLive]]}}

[[Category:Thackeray family (Maharashtra)]]