Explained: From Balasaheb to Uddhav Thackeray... how much has changed Shiv Sena and what is the difference between ideology

Posted on 27th Jun 2022 by rohit kumar

Maharashtra Political Crisis: The politics of Maharashtra is standing at a new juncture today. The differences that emerged in Shiv Sena have put the party on the verge of collapse. Eknath Shinde's rebellious attitude has raised questions about the identity of Balasaheb Thackeray's Shiv Sena. The battle of real and fake Shiv Sena has now reached the court's door. Eknath Shinde is saying that this is a battle of ideas because according to him, the Shiv Sena of Uddhav Thackeray is no longer the former Shiv Sena. By the way, all this fight is for power and power only.

 

There is a very popular phrase in politics that in politics no one is a permanent friend nor a permanent enemy. This phrase also fits the decision of Shiv Sena in the year 2019, when Uddhav Thackeray formed the government by joining hands with his rival party Congress and NCP.

 

There is no talk of Balasaheb in Shiv Sena now?

 

Balasaheb Thackeray was a staunch opponent of Congress, but today Shivsena is in government with its staunch opponents, trampling their views and this is something the Shiv Sainiks did not like. It has been only about two and a half years of the Mahavikas Aghadi government that there was a rebellion in Shiv Sena itself and now the existence of the party along with the government is in danger. Uddhav Thackeray is being accused that the Shiv Sena led by him has now become like a puppet of Congress and NCP and there is no talk of Balasaheb in it.

 

How was Shiv Sena during Balasaheb's time?

 

Balasaheb had founded Shiv Sena in the year 1966. He stepped into politics as a cartoonist in an English newspaper and made his mark as a staunch Hindutva leader. He used to speak in the whole of Maharashtra. Balasaheb did politics on many issues with great aggression. Shortly after the establishment of the party, he raised the issue of the natives of Maharashtra, after which the popularity of Shiv Sena increased significantly in the state. During this, the issue of Marathi vs outsider was in the news a lot. There were many attacks on North Indians. By the 1990s, the party had carved out a distinct identity for itself with the issue of Marathi Manush on Hindutva.

 

The Bollywood industry was also targeted

 

Balasaheb, the founder of Shiv Sena, did not spare even the people associated with the Bollywood industry. He had protested against many films. He strongly opposed Shahrukh Khan's film My Name is Khan and also made controversial remarks against him. He also did not get along with many other film stars. Balasaheb strongly opposed the films made against his idea. The media was also targeted several times during his visit.

 

Image of a hardcore Hindu leader!

 

Balasaheb Thackeray had an image as a staunch Hindu leader and perhaps this was the reason why he came to be called the Hindu Hriday Samrat. He was also against Valentine's Day and called it a threat to the Hindu religion and culture. He was also against Muslim refugees coming from Bangladesh. He believed that just as Hindus do not get their rights in many countries, in the same way, Muslims should not get any rights in India. For almost 4 decades, the politics of Maharashtra revolved at his behest. When Bawri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya in the 90s, Balasaheb had justified this in many public forums.

 

Opponents of Congress and NCP!

 

Balasaheb Thackeray's stand was very aggressive towards Congress and NCP. He did not like Congress and NCP. Today, Congress and the NCP government are running along with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, but during Balasaheb's time, both these parties were on their target. He had also raised the issue of the foreign origin of Sonia Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi also came on his target many times. He also had a figure of thirty-six politically from Sharad Pawar. Although it is said that their relationship was fine, politically both did not shy away from attacking each other.

 

How is Uddhav Thackeray's, Shiv Sena?

 

In the year 2019, Uddhav Thackeray formed the government by agreeing with the parties opposing Balasaheb. Two-and-a-half years of the Mahavikas Aghadi government were not completed that the rebellion broke out in the Shiv Sena itself and it was alleged that Uddhav Thackeray has lost the identity of the old Shiv Sena. The Eknath Shinde faction alleged that Shiv Sena was hijacked by Congress and NCP. Uddhav is also being accused of forgetting the Hindutva agenda of Balasaheb. However, Uddhav Thackeray has been trying to show that his party is still sticking to the Hindutva agenda. Recently, Uddhav Thackeray's son and minister in the state government, Aditya Thackeray went to Ayodhya.

 

How much changed Shiv Sena?

 

Balasaheb Thackeray was very aggressive about Marathi's identity. The violence of Shiv Sainiks against North Indians came to the fore several times. Balasaheb had an image of staunch Hindutva and was especially opposed to Bangladeshi Muslims. Balasaheb did not like Congress and NCP politically. He was also a very staunch supporter of Ram Mandir. From Bollywood celebrities to his rival political figures such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sharad Pawar, he did not miss the attack. There was a lot of aggression in his speeches.

 

Also Read: Maharashtra Political Crisis: Why should I go to Guwahati to see traitors, Sanjay Raut's brother bluntly