Fear over the city
“… as news spread, office-goers scrambled home, shopkeepers pulled down shutters, petrol pumps closed down, taxis and autos went off roads and cinemas called off screenings. Hooligans were soon on the streets, forcing shops to close and shattering neon signs left on. A partial shutdown is likely to prevail for 3-4 days.”
–Front page blurb in the Sunday Times (of India), November 18
Mumbai strongman Bal Keshav Thackeray’s death on Saturday afternoon emptied out the streets of India’s Maximum City, sending ordinary residents scurrying home. Thousands of kilometres away, in Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed for calm.
Bal Thackeray attempted to rule Mumbai by fear, sending out his goons to check those who he thought shouldn’t play cricket, write books he didn’t like or write articles in newspapers that weren’t to his liking. His Mumbai for Mumbaikars maxim applied only to Marathis and consciously targeted south Indians, north Indians and minorities.
The fear the city witnessed after the formal announcement of his death only details the politics that he practiced – undemocratic, strong-arm and divisive.
Bombay filmwallahs and big corporate guns had been making a beeline for the Thackeray residence for the past few days, giving the right bytes to the many television reporters covering the unfolding saga of the Shiv Sena founder’s death.
For over four decades, he controlled the politics of the city, dividing residents on the basis of their ethnic origin or religion and reaping rich political and personal benefits for himself, his family and close associates.
Picking on soft targets, the cartoonist-turned politician, who never contested an election in his career, used his newspaper, Saamna, to build up an image of the defender of ethnic Maharashtrians and Hindus.
Neither did Thackeray ever take office in Mumai, Maharashtra or Delhi, preferring to rule by remote control when the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party took power in Mahasrashtra in 1995.
After hitting out at South Indians in the late 1960s, Bal Thackeray was an effective tool that was used by big industrialists to attack and crush the communist-led trade union movement in the city. Today, with the textile mills of Mumbai closed, developers are now using this vacant mill land to make millions. A militant and effective trade union movement that kept ruthless business in check is no more.
Bal Thackeray had no positive vision, no programme for Mumbai. His ideology was what he said on the day. Over four decades since the Shiv Sena came into existence, Mumbai is not a better city in terms of civic amenities, environmental health or even security for its citizens.
His most pernicious legacy is his attacks on Muslims, with the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Commission of inquiry into the Bombay riots of 1992 and 1993 holding the Sena and Bal Thackeray squarely responsible for the killings.
“There is no doubt,” the report records, “that the Shiv Sena and Shiv Sainiks took the lead in organising attacks on Muslims and their properties under the guidance of several leaders of the Shiv Sena from the level of Shakha Pramukh to the Shiv Sena Pramukh Bal Thackeray who, like a veteran General, commanded his loyal Shiv Sainiks to retaliate by organised attacks against Muslims.”
In 1999, India’s Election Commission struck off Thackeray’s name from the voters list and barred him from contesting elections for a period of six years for using religion to garner votes.
For many who didn’t want to dirty their hands, it was good to have Bal Thackeray around. The strong-man could get the job done.
His brand of politics must also make Indians ponder about our brand of democracy and our inherent tolerance for those who break the law.
The Bal Thackeray phenomenon could not have grown in importance but for support from the State, initially from successive chief ministers of the Congress party.
An open admirer of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi – and Adolf Hitler –Thackeray was open in his support for the Emergency (1975-1977) when all civil rights were suspended in India.
Many admired him for his consistency in preaching hate. He articulated the many biases in our society.
Such adulation can only strengthen authoritarian politics while simultaneously diluting the rule of law.
Mumbai and India are better off without such politics.
Amit Baruah is an independent, Delhi-based journalist. He is the author of Dateline Islamabad and reported for The Hindu newspaper from Pakistan.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
my hats off to AB for writing a bold blog and admire Dawn for publishing.
Bala saheb, a symbol of secular India, Ladies and Gentlemen
love him or hate him but u can’t ignore him,u rock balasaheb luv u.
I think Indian should openly debate on the Bal THakray Issue. How come a Man can become a hero who hates everyone except Marathis. Why are people against Osama Bin ladin. I think in India, intelectuals are supporting hardlinesrs.
Ponder on this
Balasaheb is & will remain our hero till the earth remains. We are Indians.
correct
he does not hate any religion or any cast… you have limited knowledge of person and his politics.
Really? Then what is “Bhaiya Hatao” movement his party launched. Why do they beat up people from UP/Bihar? Do we beath up millions of Marathis who live in our state?
Bollywood says, “Forget about it. Party on. Nothing happened to us.”
Difference in India is. Law does not support hardliners. Discrimination is not institutionalized. It is a handiwork of misguided elements. Bal Thakery was convicted and his name was struck off the electoral rolls for 6 years. Intellectuals or anyone is free to support anyone. But when it comes to killing someone for their belief / perceived wrong doing, the law steps in. A lot of high and mighty have been hauled in by the law in India in recent times.
Bal Thakre has been indicted by Indian justice system for inciting hatred and leading mob violence. Which already makes him a violent street gang leader. His speeches were inflammatory and hateful. To me as an Indian its a shame for our country that he was wrapped in national flag and was given a state funeral. And soon after the funeral two 21 yr old girls were arrested for posting twitter comments voicing their protest against the Bombay wide bandh for his death. Even I can be arrested or slapped a case tomorrow for posting this comment here. It is really unfortunate that we have come to this stage where a bunch of lunatics are ruling us with help of thugs. SHAME on Shiv Sena, SHAME on Bal Thakre!
I disagree.with your opinion
Mr. Barua, you are biased.
we love balasaheb, Ek hi tha Tiger……….
tiger or lion , afterall he was an animal
Well! You are proof that education doesn’t necessarily mean enlightenment !
,
I would have preferred if he had been human instead of just a tiger.
The GOI has honored him with our national flag
And it shows what he meant for the nation
Mr. Baruah’s view on Thakarey is stereotypical. What he said are vastly one sided and if you negate a person predetermindly, do that. No balance approach. His personal physician for many years is a Muslim. Mr. Jalil Parkar. yes, he has the issues, some we do not like. But yes they are real issues. He is not against any. He just want the due share of his people and they are some extant legitimate. He is not against Muslim, but yes, against illegal Bangladeshi migrant. He is not against north Indian, but yes, he wants his Marata people also get the job. What is wrong in it? How he is a threat? A frail figure. He is not like our other corrupt politician who say some thing do some thing. He was the balancing factor between the under wall, rich corporate, greedy individuals. Mumbai lost her Boss.
If Marathas want monopoly over Mumbai then we have to change the Indian constitution and extend the provisions of article 370 to Mumbai. Not agreeing with the constitution is acceptable, but using vandalism to violate the constitution is not acceptable. That is why BT did not deserve to be draped in the tricolour. He could have been draped in the Maratha flag.
utter nonsensefull article ! there was no hooliganism. in fact the party workers and public at large demonstrated highest amount of maturity during the funeral procession/ after thackeray passed away. shivsena declared that they will not call for bandh or official shut down of the city and whoever want to do, will do on their own. what else you want ? Remember south indian actor Rajkumar ? after he passed away, there was huge amount of riot and vandalism. cared to write about ? dont use the pen with half knowledge and a biased mind. agree that some of the stands taken by thackeray were too extreme, but they were few, which i dont endorse.
Agree with you. Given the nature of SS and the previous track record, one expected mumbai to burn. surprisingly, BT sendoff was very dignified. Hats off not only to the Police but also to the SS cadres.
I must agree completely with your writer Amit Baruah. Everyone in Bombay knows of his open hatred of outsiders, muslims, and those who disagree with him. His strong arm tactics to silence anyone who spoke against him or his Shiv sena party is also well known. To say he was a good man that he took care of his people, well some Italians say that of the Mafia godfather as well. To prove how good a man he was, they say that there are Muslims working for Shiv Sena. Well so be it, but just remember this, there were many jews working for Hitler but that did not stop him from exterminating about 12 Million jews in the holocaust during world war 2.
Second day of Thakre dead….his son announced, Pakistani cricket team not to enter in Mombay. If they enter ….. than Govt. of India is responsible for any ??? readers know what I mean. More hatred.
He did not say anything like this. gets your facts right
He and his party did say this..get your fact right Mr.
Mr. Amit’s view in the article are personal & will never make any difference for those & almost all true Indians who loved him. I consider mananiya Balasaheb as god. He is & will continue to be alive in & rule every Indian heart. The massive turnout that day was proof of the same. Thanks.
Speak for yourself J Prakash….He was nothing but a mafia don and he is not ruling this Indian’s heart. Gandhi would be in shock with the sight of your “true indian” self. He he.
read my statement again, your view are personal & will not make any difference for those true Indians who love him. cheers.
Parkash I think you are his Chamcha…he was a disgrace on India..Thank god he is dead.
BT does NOT rule in my heart. I consider him to be a bad person.
All the leader and political parties are same all over the world . It’s common people who make difference.
In bombay No burning or destroying of public or private places no burning of buses or shops . No religious place destroy. All the McDonald or KFC still in one piece. No one die in riots.
Indian people may love there religion or there political parties but they surely loves there Country
point blank
Balasaheb was leader of masses… if balasaheb was a person as described by you, then there will not 19 lakh ppls participated in his funeral….
Totally biased article. In his own words, Balasaheb clearly told Arnab Goswami, Chief Editor, Times Now a few months back “I’ve always believed, India has only 2 castes, the rich and the poor and I want that poor should get rich and rich should richer”. Balasaheb was never against Muslims, he was against Muslims who believed in Jihad, terrorism and religious fanaticism. Remember the same Balasaheb cordially invited Javed Miandad and praised him for his exceptional talent and love for the game. His good friend and family doctor since past 40 years is a muslim named Jalal Parkar. He shared a great friendship with Majeed Memom, the advocate who defends muslims booked under terrorism and other criminal offenses. Yes, he had views biased for his marathi people and almost hated north indians and south indians alike, but that’s his job, his political agenda and most of the regional parties are doing the same in all states. Being a north Indian, even I disagree with his views, but I can’t call him a terrorist or a communal person for that. people sitting in other corners of india can easily judge him without any knowledge or just by watching a few congress-paid news channels. Go to youtube and search “Bandra, Mumbai : Group Of Muslims Also Offered Prayers For Balasaheb’s Speedy Recovery “. Our national news channels won’t show these videos, because it might generate sympathy for Thackrey among muslims. Congress is the most communal party which never did anything for muslims in 65+ years. They just used their votes and looted the whole country.
Congress did nothing for any Indians. It was the BJP who started the economy process. Would love to vote BJP back to power or may be Arvind Kejriwals party.
Who gave him the job to hate north and south Indians as per u own writing and please do not defend evil even Godfathers and Mafia dons and Ravana,Hitler had admirers and followers does not mean rest of the world agrees.Jinnah had a Gujarati Hindu doctor so religion of a doctor does not matter.
Good riddance. I hope his descent to hell and fire was a slow and painful process. Pakistan should have declared it a great day in history.
Thank God, he is no more. People must have come to know the real face of India. He was sent to hell with great celebrations.
Excellent article.
Thank goodness this man is gone forever.
Hitler type leaders is not Good for India…I really happy with his end,& every leaders who tries to break the country on the basis of religion ,he wasn’t a true Indian.When he was admited in hospital,i was praying for his death….I Really hate him…!