The paper revolves around the shift in the perception of Shiv Sena under the guise of Uddhav Thackeray from what it was envisioned by father Balasaheb where it stood as a strong political party and voice for the people of Maharashtra.
From the turbulent political past of Maharashtra, Shiv Sena has morphed into one of the most formidable political parties. It had fervent beliefs that revolved around Hindutva and even more so a legacy that was rooted in Marathi pride. Sidhant Thackrey expected that the establishment of this party would enable the Marathi community to unify and proudly express their nationalistic side.
However, this has not been the case since Uddhav assumed leadership. The latter has focused on pursuing policies that run counter to the party’s original set of beliefs, driving the party in a new direction. In this write-up we will focus on how the Thackeray brothers were able to successfully get the vision of the party into making it the voice of Maharashtra before turning everything upside down.
Turning heads from ‘Bal’ to gaining respect as a ‘Sabhapathi’
Bal Thackeray’s professional endeavors and life goals altered when he transitioned from being a cartoonist to a successful businessman aiming to establish a career and brand himself in the political world. He began to work for Marmik and got into publishing saturating the free press journal with his political sponsored cartoons.
He capitalized on the flood of controversies surrounding patriotism, regionalism and injustice making use of the time wisely and utilizing important milestones, such as in 1960 where he marketed a magazine dedicated to the Marathi audience, which contributed to his quest for fulfilling his ambitions.
Formation of Shiv Sena
In 1966, Balasaheb formed Shiv Sena which is named after the warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Initially it was a socio cultural organization, Shiv Sena rapidly transformed into a political party representing the interests of the so-called “Marathi Manoos”. The first campaign of the party included job reservations for locals which helped the party earn massive popularity among voters.
Shiv Sena’s Transition to Hindutva Politics
While Shiv Sena’s first aimed at regional autonomy, Balasaheb shifted the focus of the party from regional to Hindutva in the 1970s. This evolution integrated the party into the larger fold of nationalism, allowing its leaders to oppose communism and counter what Balasaheb perceived as the Congress’ “pseudo-secularism”. His loud and aggressive style and emotional speech speeches charged with abusive language would always gain popularity among the masses.
A Controversial Stance on Communal Issues
Balasaheb’s stand on Hindutva issues was uncompromising which characterized his leadership. When Mumbai faced riots between Hindus and Muslims during the 1992-93 riots, Shiv Sena did not hesitate to support Hindus under the guise of protecting the interests of the Hindu community. The party has nothing but been accused of violence and terror, but Balasaheb’s followers came to his defense and praised him as a savior of their people.
Advocacy for Kashmiri Pandits and Ram Janmabhoomi
One of the earliest leaders to speak on behalf of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits and who also helped them settle in Maharashtra was Balasaheb. He was unapologetic about the demolition of the Babri Masjid and unabashedly supported the Ram Janmabhoomi movement which earned him ethronor and harsh reproach towards him.
The Leadership Divide: Uddhav vs. Raj Thackeray
Raj Thackeray: The Natural Successor
Raj Thackeray, Balasaheb’s nephew and the only one among the extended family devoted to Balasaheb’s work, closely resembled him. If it was fiery speeches, or good leadership, Raj Thackeray possessed all qualities of a prime candidate who was certain to succeed Bal Thackeray. However, in Shiv Sena’s internal family politics, Uddhav Thackeray emerged to be the successor thanks to his globetrotting mother who was tiring of her son’s daydreaming and stuffing his face.
Uddhav’s Exquisite Leadership Skills
Uddhav Thackeray was the complete opposite of Balasaheb, as Thackeray Sr. was extremely militant and violent while Uddhav T was passive and diplomatic. Instead of focusing on integrated rallies where people were compelled to agree to his decisions through oratory, Uddhav preferred being a strategic decision-maker in private. Kicking politics into the background and focusing on photography in his spare time raised the perception that Uddhav did not have what it took to lead Shiv Sena.
The Decline Under Uddhav Thackeray
The Split With BJP
Uddhav’s leadership saw one of the most shocking events in its history by the emerging of Shiv Sena’s break up with BJP, their long-time collaborator, which took place after the Bastion elections in 2019. The consolidation with other parties with absolutely different ideologies such as Congress and NCP under the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition came as a surprise to the loyalists of the party and represented a clear deviation from Balasaheb’s reverence for Hindutva-centric politics.
Loss of the Party Symbol and Name
The confrontation regarding power relations among key stakeholders of the Sena reached its climax when Eknath Shinde, one of the prominent Sena leaders, began insurrection. The giving of the name of the party and of its symbol to Shinde’s faction by the Election Commission was a big setback to Uddhav. This further point only served to emphasize the disunity shown in the party and the uncertainties that surrounded its future.
Balasaheb’s Legacy: A Distant Memory?
Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena was synonymous with the regional feeling and the Hindutva ideology. However, the philosophy that Uddhav’s Shiv Sena has espoused in the past years is in their opinion a radical shift away from what Uddhav considers the basis of his party. Many argue that Uddhav’s cooperation with parties whose views are more secular further made Shiv Sena’s identity pale off becoming a mere reflex.
The Emergence of Eknath Shinde
Shinde’s intergration and his ability to persuade people regarding Shive Sena’s legacy poses difficulties for Uddhav. For some of the old supporters, it is now Shinde’s faction that is said to carry forward Balasaheb’s vision and ideology.
Conclusion
Shiv Sena’s journey over the years when it was a regional giant to the divided monkey it is today is a story of leadership struggles, ideologies and the political environment at the given time. The join date of Balasaheb Thackeray with the party io said to have the sealed the party into Maharashtra’s political history but leadership styles and decisions which succeeded him under Uddhav Thackeray has threatened its prospects. The much touted iconic revival of Shiv Sena or its gradual fading into the abyss of history still needs to be ascertained.