Roaring with the Sea of Humanity

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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