Bal Keshav Thackeray, popularly known as Balasahev Thackeray
is no more. The 86-year-old – known for his straightforwardness and fierce
ideology – breathed his last on November 17, 2012 in Mumbai, leaving behind a
legacy that his son Uddhav Thackeray and nephew Raj Thackeray must carry
forward. From a cartoonist who left his job – for being denied his due – to a
fiery mass leader who never minced his words, Balasaheb stood all through his
life for the Marathi Manus. He fought
for their strength, weaknesses, development, their life per se and touched the heart and soul of the millions. He never
left Maharashtra, but concentrated on the welfare of
his state. For the founder chief of the Shiv Sena, (which he founded in June
1966), this was a sense of pride to be with his fellowmen. It was because of
this, that Balasaheb was able to nurture the spirit of nationalism amongst the Marathi Manus. His skills as a
communicator and his personal relationship with many in the crowd – whom he had
perhaps never met before – made him the beloved son of the soil. He rose not
only in stature, but the people embraced him and gave him a space in their
hearts.
Sunday, November 18, 2012 will be remembered in history as a
day that brought the city of Mumbai to a stand still. Many of us who
were glued to the television sets never witnessed such a crowd of two million
(20 lakh) people before this day. Not even political rallies or any religious
sermons organised by self-proclaimed saints can bring people from cross
sections of the society in an orderly manner at one place – Chattrapati Shivaji
Park (his favourite destination), where the son of the soil was finally laid to
rest.
It was pay back time. Many – as the television commentators reported
– were not supporters of the Shiv Sena. There were Sikhs, Gujaratis, Bengalis,
Biharis and others who had gathered into the streets of Mumbai to catch a
glimpse of this charismatic personality, one last time.
What had also made them come out in the streets of Mumbai in
large numbers was the very fact that they were there to bid farewell to an
honest, outspoken and dedicated ‘Statesman’ who, all through his career
represented their identity in the larger spectrum of the socio-political as
well as diversified cultural setups. Not only this, he brought their issues to
the mainstream politics, thereby making huge impact.
For many of my generation and this generation which has
witnessed such a large crowd, this was a rare phenomenon. As I watched, I could
visualize the impact Balasaheb have had over his countrymen. Over twenty lakh
unprecedented people from every nook and corner of Mumbai voluntarily and
dedicatedly participated in this last journey to bid ‘The Tiger’ a deserving
farewell.
Historians, journalists and political analysts commented
that they were witnessing this huge sea of humanity after many decades. The
last time when such sea of humanity had gathered was when the father of the
nation Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated and after Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal
Nehru’s death, news analysts read out the statistics.
One could call it a catharsis, but perhaps for once the
critics of Balasaheb would have been stunned into silence as they witnessed
such spontaneous, respectful, silent and dedicated tribute by the people of Maharashtra and the Shiv Sainiks to their
master. The outpour of the Shivsainiks as they marched with the funeral cortege
carrying the body of Balasaheb Thackeray proved beyond any doubt the respect
Balasaheb earned from his cadre in life as well as in death.
There was a sense of emptiness. There was a sense of grief.
All roads – from Matoshree to Matunga, to Shiv Sena Bhavan – that led to Shivaji Park were symbolic of the personality of
Balasaheb Thackeray that united people from different communities. People had
not gathered to pay their tributes to a political leader, but they were there
for the man called Balasaheb Thackeray, their majhe sahib.
For many others, the death of Balasaheb has brought the
brothers Raj and Uddhav together in grief. Would they stand together to
continue the same ideology that Balasaheb lived for, will be monitored closely
in the days to come. Many things are going to change. But the sea of humanity
who joined the last time to bid a befitting farewell to their leader, were
there to live the moment. He rightly deserved a State Funeral.
A moment which all will ask and seek answer for – Is there
any mass leader today in India? Is there a leader who is so
dynamic and fearless?
For a man who dominated Maharasthra’s political stage for
over four decades with controversies, criticisms and credit, Balasaheb
Thackeray’s death has created a void. How will the Mumbaikar Marathis take his
cause forward will be a subject of discussion in the days ahead.
People close to him will miss his wicked sense of humour.
They will miss his impeccable style of functioning. The Shiv Sainiks will miss
their father figure to guide them and steer them through. The aam admi (common man) of Mumbai will miss
his charisma and his concern for their welfare.
Many like us who have watched him through the lenses of the
media, would miss his style, his oratory, his effortlessness in hitting out
straight without mincing words. He called them ‘bullets’.
Balasaheb Thackeray once said – “The tiger’s wounded but not
dead. A wounded tiger springs back. I may be in the cage, but don’t dare to
tease me”.
One could well say that “The Tiger” roared the last time
with the sea of humanity that kept on growing and growing. Hope his dreams for
an ideal nation is also realized.
Farewell, Balasaheb Thackeray (January 23, 1927 – November
18, 2012).
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