Bal Thackeray: Is the Lion's roar no more than a whimper?
Bal Thackeray, born in Madhya Pradesh, built his political stronghold in Maharashtra with his hate speeches and unethical ways of hogging the limelight. Many of his methods have caused problems to Mumbaikars. Lately, though, his power is waning.
IT ALL started with one man’s love for his culture and tradition that attracted the attention of thousands of people in a state. No one imagined a mere cartoonist to eventually become the voice of a community and then later, the entire state. But it happened. His violent propaganda, his provocative campaigns and slogans that goaded people, such as ‘vaacha ani gappa basa’ (read and shut up), his sainiks' shameless war cries of ‘bajao pungi, bhagao lungi’ to ward of South Indian migrants all boils down to his extremist attitude. The entertainment industry, the corporate sector and even the police succumbed to his power.
Bal Thackeray, though negative, needs to be commended for his achievements. He mastered the art of influence and converted middle-class Marathi manoos into rebellions. He instigated terror in non-Marathi communal groups trying to voice their importance.
He boldly distributed ideas of anti-Pakistan, anti-Muslim, etc., and responded furiously to all who opposed it. Mumbai feared the Shiv Sainiks. They enjoyed explicit rowdyism. Shiv Sena is nothing but an extremist party with a radical thought process, unaware of its mediocrity. Their outlook towards the society is very culture oriented and everything above and below is discarded beyond rational thinking. Mumbai has suffered a whole lot due to these Sainiks. Innocent working men are forced to shut their business, schools are made to shut and roads are purposely blocked. To gain attention, they instigate fear. Mumbai, known for its fast paced life is made to stand still due to their propagandistic gain.
The party was accused for communal riots in 1993. Sainiks have proved time and again that they excel in disruption and demolition. Their concerns for the diminishing Marathi culture were understandable. Their distress over Mumbai migrant issue is valid too. Their disapproval of slums all over the city is also not wrong. What is wrong is their propaganda. Violence is not the answer to all questions. Extremism is required in our society, to be heard, to create an impact. But to hamper routine life and disrupt public property is not acceptable.
Pelting stones on buses and shutting shops forcefully is irrational. The 26/11 terror attacks created its place in history due to its post attack outburst. Peace rallies, candle light marches were conducted, petitions were signed, Slogans of injustice were raised, but no violence was adhered to. Shiv Sainiks had quietly retrieved back in their shell because they knew that their methods of conveying a message would not work. Violence would not win this time. The educated mass had finally voiced its opinion. That also triggered the realisation of their reliability on the traditional middle class Marathi men.
On how in the name of religion and regional passion are these men manipulated and exploited. Rights to expression and speech were also misused by the party. Now, after Udhav Thackeray took over and Raj formed a new Sena, the Shiv Sainiks voice has muffled. Their growls have been reduced to mere squeals. Balasaheb was the driving force of influence and power. His demeanour and word was final. The city that once constantly feared an uproar from the Shiv Sainiks, now remains just a crying wolf. Does this suggest the end of Sena power? We all have to just wait and watch.
He boldly distributed ideas of anti-Pakistan, anti-Muslim, etc., and responded furiously to all who opposed it. Mumbai feared the Shiv Sainiks. They enjoyed explicit rowdyism. Shiv Sena is nothing but an extremist party with a radical thought process, unaware of its mediocrity. Their outlook towards the society is very culture oriented and everything above and below is discarded beyond rational thinking. Mumbai has suffered a whole lot due to these Sainiks. Innocent working men are forced to shut their business, schools are made to shut and roads are purposely blocked. To gain attention, they instigate fear. Mumbai, known for its fast paced life is made to stand still due to their propagandistic gain.
The party was accused for communal riots in 1993. Sainiks have proved time and again that they excel in disruption and demolition. Their concerns for the diminishing Marathi culture were understandable. Their distress over Mumbai migrant issue is valid too. Their disapproval of slums all over the city is also not wrong. What is wrong is their propaganda. Violence is not the answer to all questions. Extremism is required in our society, to be heard, to create an impact. But to hamper routine life and disrupt public property is not acceptable.
Pelting stones on buses and shutting shops forcefully is irrational. The 26/11 terror attacks created its place in history due to its post attack outburst. Peace rallies, candle light marches were conducted, petitions were signed, Slogans of injustice were raised, but no violence was adhered to. Shiv Sainiks had quietly retrieved back in their shell because they knew that their methods of conveying a message would not work. Violence would not win this time. The educated mass had finally voiced its opinion. That also triggered the realisation of their reliability on the traditional middle class Marathi men.
On how in the name of religion and regional passion are these men manipulated and exploited. Rights to expression and speech were also misused by the party. Now, after Udhav Thackeray took over and Raj formed a new Sena, the Shiv Sainiks voice has muffled. Their growls have been reduced to mere squeals. Balasaheb was the driving force of influence and power. His demeanour and word was final. The city that once constantly feared an uproar from the Shiv Sainiks, now remains just a crying wolf. Does this suggest the end of Sena power? We all have to just wait and watch.
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