PM Modi, leaders pay tribute to Bal Thackeray on his birth anniversary

PM Modi pays tribute to the cartoonist-politician on his birth anniversary, “He is widely respected and remembered for his commitment to public welfare and towards Maharashtra’s development,” Modi wrote on X.

Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926. He founded Shiv Sena which was a BJP ally for long before it broke ties in 2019. The party later split into two factions – one led by Uddhav Bal Thackeray and other by Eknath Shinde, the current Deputy CM of Maharashtra.

"He was uncompromising when it came to his core beliefs and always contributed towards enhancing the pride of Indian culture," the Prime Minister said.

Bal Thackeray popularly known as Balasaheb Thackeray was born in Pune, Maharashtra in a Marathi Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu family.

Thackeray’s father Keshav Thackeray was a writer, social activist and leader of Samyukta Maharashtra Chalwal movement. The movement was for a separate state for Marathi speaking people in 1950s.

In early days of his career Thackeray worked as a cartoonist for The Free Press Journal. His cartoons were carried by The Time of India’s Sunday edition. He quit his job in 1960.

Thackeray entered politics in 1966 and founded Shiv Sena. The main objective was to provide employment stability to Maharashtrians in the state. In late 1960s and early 1970s Shiv Sena formed temporary alliances with different Maharashtrian political parties. Thackeray passed away on November 17, 2012 at the age of 86 after a cardiac arrest.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray led the tribute ceremony on January 23 to pay homage to Bal Thackeray on his birth anniversary. The event was held at the statue of Bal Thackeray in Fort, Mumbai and was attended by party workers and supporters who paid floral tributes.

Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray paid floral tributes to Bal Thackeray who was known as Hindu Hriday Samrat for his Hindutva and Marathi pride.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to the late leader.

“Devoted throughout his life to Sanatan culture and nationalism, respected Balasaheb Thackeray ji always gave priority to patriotism in his work. The ideological firmness of Balasaheb, who never gave up on his principles even in adverse circumstances, will always inspire,” Shah wrote on X in Hindi.