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Wednesday, May 22nd 04:39 AM IST
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Bal Thackeray GALLERY.
Women pose with knives, distributed by India's radical Hindu nationalist party Shiv Sena, in Mumbai January 23, 2013. The Shiv Sena, an ally of the main opposition BJP, has handed out kitchen knives and chilli powder to women in Mumbai following the gang rape of a student in Delhi that ignited a national debate on the best way to tackle sex crimes. Pictures of Bal Thackeray, founder of the Shiv Sena, dangle from key rings attached to the knives. Picture taken January 23, 2013. Women pose with knives, distributed
strongMumbai:/strong Describing late Bal Thackeray as an open-hearted person, BJP President Nitin Gadkari said here that the Sena patriarch was not a dictator and always took decisions, which he felt were reasonable. Balasaheb was an open hearted person. He never indulged in caste-based politics. Though some people portrayed him as a dictator, it was not the case. He would take decisions in accordance with the situation, Gadkari said at a programme here last evening. [caption id=attachment_594265 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai:/strong Describing lat
The death of Bal Thackeray on Sunday was marked by a deluge of encomiums from the entire spectrum of politicians, businessmen and the Bollywood-elite who found unparalleled virtue on everything he did. Even his strongest detractors searched for euphemisms to whitewash the fear-factor that he and his party stood for. There were indeed attempts of muted dissent, but the commentators - mostly writers and activists - ensured that their words were nuanced and balanced with unqualified praise. Live telecast kept reminding them that 2.4 million people were on the streets of Mumbai mourning his death. But a day later, things have completely changed, thanks to two faceless young girls in Mumbai who spoke their mind on their Facebook pages and subsequently got picked up by local police. What followed was an epidemic of dissent. With a single stroke, unrestrained adulation for Thackeray by people ranging from Amithabh Bachchan and Sachin Tendulkar to President Pranab Mukerjee gave way to an outpouring of dissent by common people. Justice Markandey Katju, Chairman, Press Council of India, fired the first salvo by writing a powerful note saying he cannot pay tribute to the Sena leader for his anti-national sons of the soil doctrine and the hatred he spread. emThe Hindu/em, in a brilliant op-ed article said the Sena leader gave voice to a Nazi impulse in Indian politics - one that poses an ever-growing threat to our Republic. [caption id=attachment_529015 align=alignleft width=380 The death of Bal Thackeray on Sunda
A cut out of Hindu hardline Shiv Sena party leader Bal Thackeray, is displayed as people attend his cremation in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. Hundreds of thousands of supporters filled the streets of Mumbai for the funeral of Thackeray, a Hindu extremist leader linked to waves of mob violence against Muslims and migrant workers in India. Thackeray, an 86-year-old powerful, rabble-rousing orator for Shiv Sena, which means Shiva's Army, died on Saturday following a cardio-respiratory arrest. A cut out of Hindu hardline Shiv Se
Members of the Indian Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party light candles as they pay tribute to chief of the Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party, Bal Thackeray in Amritsar on November 18, 2012. The final journey of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray began with his body being taken out for the funeral procession from his residence in suburban Bandra Mumbai this morning amid the presence of thousands of grief-stricken Shiv Sainiks, who have come from across Maharashtra. Members of the Indian Hindu nationa
Supporters take part in the funeral procession of Indian Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party leader Bal Thackeray in Mumbai on November 18, 2012. Huge crowds gathered in Mumbai to witness the funeral procession of Bal Thackeray, chief of the Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party and one of India's most divisive politicians. Thackeray, who called his followers 'Hindu warriors' and was widely accused of stoking ethnic and religious violence, died aged 86, triggering a virtual shutdown of the city. Supporters take part in the funeral
A woman watches the funeral procession of right-wing Hindu nationalist politician Bal Thackeray from a residential building, in Mumbai November 18, 2012. Thackeray, one of India's most polarising politicians and leader of an influential right-wing Hindu nationalist party that has dominated politics in the country's richest city for two decades, has died aged 86. Thackeray died of cardio-respiratory arrest on Saturday at his home, one of his doctors, Jalil Parker, said. He had been ill for some time and was rumoured to have died earlier this week. A woman watches the funeral process
Supporters shout slogans while holding a newspaper with the front page news of the demise of Indian Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party Bal Thackeray during his funeral procession in Mumbai on November 18, 2012. Huge crowds gathered in Mumbai to witness the funeral procession of Bal Thackeray, chief of the Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party and one of India's most divisive politicians. Thackeray, who called his followers 'Hindu warriors' and was widely accused of stoking ethnic and religious violence, died aged 86, triggering a virtual shutdown of the city. Supporters shout slogans while hold
Supports of the Shiv Sena party crowd around the vehicle carrying the body of right-wing Hindu nationalist politician Bal Thackeray during his funeral procession in Mumbai, November 18, 2012. Thackeray, one of India's most polarising politicians and leader of an influential right-wing Hindu nationalist party that has dominated politics in the country's richest city for two decades, has died aged 86. Thackeray died of cardio-respiratory arrest on Saturday at his home, one of his doctors, Jalil Parker, said. He had been ill for some time and was rumoured to have died earlier this week. Supports of the Shiv Sena party cro
Police officers stand guard in front of a crowd of Shiv Sena supporters gathered near the residence of influential right-wing Hindu nationalist political Bal Thackeray in Mumbai, November 17, 2012. Thackeray, one of India's most polarising politicians and leader of an influential right-wing Hindu nationalist party that has dominated politics in the country's richest city for two decades, has died aged 86. Thackeray died of cardio-respiratory arrest on Saturday at his home, one of his doctors, Jalil Parker, said. He had been ill for some time and was rumoured to have died earlier this week. Police officers stand guard in fron
Media gather inside a park amidst a thick smoke of fogging outside the residence of right wing Hindu party Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in Mumbai on November 17, 2012. Firebrand Indian politician Bal Thackeray, who founded the right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena, died on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest, his doctor said. Media gather inside a park amidst a
Bal Thackeray, chief of the hardline Hindu Shiv Sena party, greets election officials before casting his vote during India's parliamentary elections in Bombay in this April 26, 2004 file photograph. Bal Keshav Thackeray, one of India's most polarising politicians and leader of an influential right-wing Hindu nationalist party that has dominated politics in the country's richest city for two decades, has died aged 86. Thackeray died of cardio-respiratory arrest on November 17, 2012 at his home, one of his doctors, Jalil Parker, said. Bal Thackeray, chief of the hardlin
Bal Thackeray, leader of the Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party, is pictured in Bombay in this August 16, 2000 file photo. Bal Keshav Thackeray, one of India's most polarising politicians and leader of an influential right-wing Hindu nationalist party that has dominated politics in the country's richest city for two decades, has died aged 86. Thackeray died of cardio-respiratory arrest on November 17, 2012 at his home, one of his doctors, Jalil Parker, said. Bal Thackeray, leader of the Hindu
Indian security officials keep vigil outside the house of Hindu hardline Shiv Sena party leader Bal Thackeray after his death was made public in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Thackeray, the extremist leader linked to waves of mob violence against Muslims and migrant workers in India, died Saturday after an illness of several weeks. He was 86. Indian security officials keep vigi
Bal Thackeray, chief of the right wing Hindu party Shiv Sena, waves towards the media as he arrives to cast his vote at a polling centre during the Maharashtra state elections in Mumbai in this October 13, 2009 file photograph. Bal Keshav Thackeray, one of India's most polarising politicians and leader of an influential right-wing Hindu nationalist party that has dominated politics in the country's richest city for two decades, has died aged 86. Thackeray died of cardio-respiratory arrest on November 17, 2012 at his home, one of his doctors, Jalil Parker, said. Bal Thackeray, chief of the right w
People in the crowd charge towards a television cameraman outside the residence of right wing Hindu party Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in Mumbai on November 17, 2012. Firebrand Indian politician Bal Thackeray, who founded the right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena, died on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest, his doctor said. People in the crowd charge towards
Indian police walk towards the residence of right wing Hindu party Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in Mumbai on November 17, 2012. Firebrand Indian politician Bal Thackeray, who founded the right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena, died on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest, his doctor said. Indian police walk towards the resi
Mohan Yadav from Nangaon, a follower of ailing right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, poses with a decorated motorcycle adorned with photographs of the political leader near the Thackeray residence in Mumbai on November 16, 2012. Mumbai police stepped up security to prevent any unrest as Indian firebrand politician Bal Thackeray was reported to be in critical condition at his home in the city. Large crowds of supporters gathered overnight outside the residence of the 86-year-old, who founded the right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena and is widely accused of stoking ethnic and religious violence. Mohan Yadav from Nangaon, a followe
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Tuesday appealed to people to overthrow the Congress governments in the state and at the Centre, saying they had ignored crucial issues like rising inflation, electricity shortage, corruption and Indo-Pak relations. Oust Congress and banish the darkness forever, the 86-year-old Sena patriarch said in a statement published in party mouthpiece Saamana. [caption id=attachment_523621 align=alignleft width=380 Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Tu
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who has long opposed India-Pakistan cricket ties, Monday asked party activists not to permit the forthcoming matches between the two countries anywhere in India. In a front-page appeal in the party mouthpiece emSaamna/em, the 86-year-old leader also lashed out at Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for his statement to forget the past and play cricket with Pakistan. The proposed Pakistani tour in India begins 25 December. The series would comprise three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s. [caption id=attachment_514560 align=alignleft width=380 Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who
The clichd description of Bal Thackeray's annual, and even election, rallies is the 'roar' of the tiger, the emblem of the Shiv Sena. That was missing for the first time at the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, the place where the party was born, and split. It was more a farewell speech of a man enfeebled by health and age, urging the party cadre to be nice to his son, Uddhav, and grandson, Aditya, as they had been to him. The empty, plush, throne-like sofa on the dais added the touch of the sombre, about the man who cannot attend to the cadre who were his breath of life, responding to his each beckoning. With that in full view, being the centrepiece of the stage, the enthusiasm of the assembled audience seemed on the wane. It should worry the next generation leadership. It was as if the focal point was lost. [caption id=attachment_502768 align=alignleft width=380 The clichd description of Bal Thack
strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today mocked the silence of all Biharis and BJP leaders from the state over Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's reported anti-Bihari tirade. In the ongoing election campaign, Modi reportedly said: We shall not tolerate a single Bihari in Gujarat elections. He was obviously hitting out at his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, who had barred him from campaigning in that state's elections a few years ago on grounds that it could create law and order problems. [caption id=attachment_497353 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chie
strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today defended BJP president Nitin Gadkari, who has been accused of receiving illegal favours in land allotment from Maharashtra's Congress-NCP government. The allegations against Gadkari are as barren as the land he took (on lease from Government), Thackeray said, in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. Two days ago, activist-politician Arvind Kejriwal and his associate Anjali Damania had accused Gadkari of receiving personal favours from the government by getting around 100 acres of agriculture land in Vidarbha after the state government allegedly bent the rules. [caption id=attachment_496538 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chie
strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Monday launched a stinging attack against union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh for his remarks comparing toilets with temples and said the Congress was responsible for the sorry state of affairs. It was indeed shocking how nearly two-thirds of the countrymen still defecated in the open, Thackeray said. In the past 65 years (since Independence), it is the Congress which has ruled the country most of the time. But they did nothing to rid the country of this social problem, Thackeray declared in an editorial in the party mouthpiece emSaamana/em. [caption id=attachment_482925 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chie
strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi would lead his party to a third consecutive victory in the December Assembly elections. Modi has shown his grip on Gujarat and is going to win the polls for the third time in a row, Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece emSaamana/em.[caption id=attachment_480822 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chie
The Bal Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Sunday took to the streets to protest the fuel price hike and FDI in retail sector by the Centre and asked the Trinamool Congress and NCP to withdraw support to the UPA government. Addressing a rally at the famous Siddhivinayak temple in central Mumbai in the presence of hundreds of partymen, Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray asked Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to stop just threatening the UPA government and withdraw its support. [caption id=attachment_457586 align=alignleft width=380 The Bal Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on
strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today came out in support of jailed cartoonist Aseem Trivedi but also gave him a sharp rap on the knuckles. While contending that the sedition charge slapped by Mumbai police on the cartoonist was a bit too much, Thackeray pulled up Trivedi for his cartoons mocking the Indian national emblem, constitution and Parliament. In an editorial in the party mouthpiece emSaamna/em, Thackeray said: Trivedi has definitely insulted these national symbols, but labeling him as a traitor and jailing him under sedition charge is not proper. [caption id=attachment_452642 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chie
strongMumbai: /strongShiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has said that leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj is the only leader in the ally BJP who would make a deserving Prime Minister. In part three of his marathon interview, published by Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' on Sunday, Thackeray said: At present there is only one person who is intelligent, brilliant -Sushma Swaraj. He was responding to the question who in BJP could become the next Prime Minister. [caption id=attachment_449085 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai: /strongShiv Sena supr
strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today claimed that if he was given charge of the Indian Army, he would solve all problems and set things right in the country within a month. In the second of his four-part interview published in party mouthpiece 'emDopaharka Saamna/em' today, Thackeray also warned that he would not spare Muslim fundamentalists who fomented trouble in the country. Give me control of the army. I will show you miracles and set everything right within a month. Just hand over the army to me, Thackeray, known as 'emSena-pati/em' claimed. When he was told that his party, Shiv Sena, was an 'army', Thackeray rued the fact that it was unarmed. He claimed his army had only saffron flags. Yet, we have so much influence, but I don't want only that, hoardings, banners and drums, the 86-year-old leader said. [caption id=attachment_448816 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chie
strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today targeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi, alleging that the country had gone to the dumps under her leadership. In a marathon four-part interview, the first installment of which was published in today's party mouthpiece emDopaharka Saamna/em, Thackeray also trained his guns on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and ruling establishments in New Delhi and in Maharashtra. Now she wants to make Rahul as the prime minister. Do they think the PM's post is like some chair in Bhendi Bazaar area? Thackeray said, referring to south Mumbai's most congested wholesale-cum-retail multi-commodities market. [caption id=attachment_447763 align=alignleft width=380 strongMumbai:/strong Shiv Sena chie