Editing Bal Thackeray (section)

==Politics==
{{Further|Shiv Sena}}

=== 1966–1998 ===
The success of ''Marmik'' prompted Thackeray to form the [[Shiv Sena (1966–2022)|Shiv Sena]] on 19 June 1966. The name ''Shiv Sena'' ([[Shivaji]]'s Army) is a reference to the 17th century [[Chhatrapati|Maratha Emperor]] [[Shivaji]]. Initially, Thackeray said it was not a political party but an army of Shivaji Maharaj, inclined to fight for the Marathi ''maanus'' (person).<ref name="Prakash2010">{{cite book |author=Gyan Prakash |title=Mumbai Fables |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TeRWxaJLoDUC&pg=PA232 |date=21 September 2010 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-15317-9 |pages=228–237 |access-date=4 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205073008/https://books.google.com/books?id=TeRWxaJLoDUC&pg=PA232 |archive-date=5 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> It demanded that native speakers of the state's local language [[Marathi language|Marathi]] (the "sons of the soil" movement) be given preferential treatment in private and public sector jobs. The early objective of the Shiv Sena was to ensure their job security competing against [[South Indian]]s and [[Gujaratis]].<ref name=":2" /> In its 1966 party manifesto, Thackeray primarily blamed south Indians.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why no one dared to mess with Shiv Sena? : Special Report |website=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bal-thackeray-death-shiv-sena-harvester-of-fear/1/234428.html |access-date=9 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216185141/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bal-thackeray-death-shiv-sena-harvester-of-fear/1/234428.html |archive-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> In ''Marmik'', Thackeray published a list of corporate officials from a local directory, many being south Indians, citing it as proof that Maharashtrians were being discriminated against.<ref name="Prakash2010" />

His party grew in the next ten years. Senior leaders such as [[Babasaheb Purandare]], chief attorney for Trade Union of Maharashtra Madhav Mehere joined the party and chartered accountant Madhav Gajanan Deshpande backed various aspects of the party operations. In 1969, Thackeray and [[Manohar Joshi]] were jailed after participating in a protest demanding the merger of [[Karwar]], [[Belgaum border dispute|Belgaum]] and [[Nipani]] regions in Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite news |title=Obituary: Bal Thackeray-the tiger who ruled Mumbai : Bal Thackeray, News |website=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bal-keshav-thackeray-obituary/1/229596.html |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216190808/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bal-keshav-thackeray-obituary/1/229596.html |archive-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> During the 1970s, it did not succeed in the local elections and it was active mainly in Mumbai, compared to the rest of the state. The party set up local branch offices and settled disputes, complaints against the government.<ref name=":3" /> It later started violent tactics with attacks against rival parties, migrants and the media; the party agitated by destroying public and private property.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Bal Thackeray's political career |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-20180376 |language=en-GB |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808193457/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-20180376 |archive-date=8 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |first=Megha |last=Bahree |title=Thackeray Controlled Mumbai for Four Decades |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324556304578124701259492508 |newspaper =The Wall Street Journal |access-date=8 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026173639/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324556304578124701259492508 |archive-date=26 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Thackeray publicly supported [[Indira Gandhi]] during the [[The Emergency (India)|1975 Emergency]]; Thackeray supported the [[Indian National Congress|Congress party]] numerous times.<ref name=":2" />

Dr. Hemchandra Gupte, [[Mayor of Mumbai]] and the former family physician and confidant of Thackeray, left Shiv Sena in 1976 citing the emphasis given to money, violence committed by the Shiv Sena members, and Thackeray's support for Indira Gandhi and the 1975 emergency.<ref>{{cite book |title=Wages of Violence : Naming and identity in postcolonial Bombay |author=Thomas Blom Hansen |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2001 |page=238 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-y3iNt0djbQC&pg=PA238|quote=18: According to Hemchandra Gupte, a former confidante of Thackeray, his major reason for leaving the party for his growing disgust with the prominence of money and the "goonda'ization" of the party (interview, 5th October 1992). 21. Interview, 3 October 1992, with Hemchandra Gupte, physician, formerly Bal Thackeray's family doctor, and Shiv Sena's mayor of Bombay from 1971 to 1972. Dr. Gupte left Shiv Sena in 1976 because of Thackerey's support for Mrs. Gandhi and the emergency. |isbn=0691088403}}</ref>

Politically, the Shiv Sena was [[anti-communist]], and wrested control of trade unions in Mumbai from the [[Communist Party of India]] (CPI). Local unemployed youth from the declining textile industry joined the party<ref name=":4" /> and it further expanded because of Maharashtrians from the [[Konkan|Konkan region]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=Leader who brought ethnic politics to Mumbai melting pot |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bal-thackeray-leader-who-brought-ethnic-politics-to-mumbai-melting-pot/article4105715.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=17 November 2012 |issn=0971-751X |language=en-IN |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119195350/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bal-thackeray-leader-who-brought-ethnic-politics-to-mumbai-melting-pot/article4105715.ece |archive-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> By the 1980s, it became a threat to the ruling Congress party which had initially encouraged it because of it rivalling the CPI. In 1989, the Sena's newspaper ''[[Saamna]]'' was launched by Thackeray.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/How-Sena-got-the-title-Saamna-for-mouthpiece/articleshow/17273297.cms |title=How Sena got the title 'Saamna' for mouthpiece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029212840/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-19/pune/35204806_1_bal-thackeray-saamna-sena-leader |archive-date=29 October 2013 |work=The Times of India |date=19 November 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=5 December 2012}}</ref> Because of Thackeray being against the [[Mandal Commission]] report, his close aide [[Chhagan Bhujbal]] left the party in 1991. Following the [[Mumbai riots|1992 Bombay riots]], Thackeray took stances viewed as anti-Muslim and based on [[Hindutva]].<ref name=":0" /> Shiv Sena later allied itself with the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won the 1995 [[Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha|Maharashtra State Assembly]] elections and were in power from 1995 to 1999. Thackeray declared himself to be the "remote control" chief minister.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Godbole1996">{{cite book |author=Madhav Godbole |title=Unfinished Innings: Recollections and Reflections of a Civil Servant |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ItQF4g08KbwC&pg=PA414 |date=1 January 1996 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-0883-5 |page=414 |access-date=4 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101092636/http://books.google.com/books?id=ItQF4g08KbwC&pg=PA414 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Thackeray and the Chief Minister [[Manohar Joshi]] were explicitly named for inciting the Shivsainiks for violence against Muslims during the 1992–1993 riots in an inquiry ordered by the [[government of India]], the Srikrishna Commission Report.<ref name="fln">{{cite web |url=http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1517/15170200.htm |title=The Shiv Sena indicted |publisher=Frontlineonnet.com |access-date=14 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328163323/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1517/15170200.htm |archive-date=28 March 2013|quote=The Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party Government in Maharashtra has rejected the core of the report, which was presented before the two Houses of the legislature on August 6 along with a memorandum of action to be taken thereon. The Action Taken Report (ATR), seeks to establish that the report is one-sided. Going further, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi termed the report "anti-Hindu, pro-Muslim and biased." }}</ref><ref name="narula99">{{cite book |title=Broken People: Caste Violence Against India's "untouchables" |author=Smita Narula |publisher=Human Rights Watch |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kd28Ay09adgC&pg=PA124 |year=1999 |isbn=1564322289|quote=The reports findings were presented to the government of Maharashtra on February 16, 1998, more than five years after the riots took place. The report determined that the riots were the result of a deliberate and systematic effort to incite violence against Muslims and singled out Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray and Chief Minister Manohar Joshi as responsible. The Shiv Sena-BJP government, however, refused to adopt the commission's recommendations and instead labeled the report anti-Hindu.}}</ref>

Thackeray had influence in the film industry. His party workers agitated against films he found controversial and would disrupt film screenings, causing losses. [[Bombay (1995 film)|''Bombay'']], a 1995 film on the riots, was opposed by them.<ref name=":2" />

=== 1999–2012 ===
On 28 July 1999, Thackeray was banned from voting and contesting in any election for six years from 11 December 1999 till 10 December 2005 on the recommendations of the Election Commission for indulging in corrupt practice by seeking votes in the name of religion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NM1/Thackeray-votes-after-expiry-of-ban/Article1-16731.aspx |title=Thackeray votes after expiry of ban |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=26 April 2004 |access-date=14 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111201658/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/archives/thackeray-votes-after-expiry-of-ban/article1-16731.aspx |archive-date=11 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="Banned from voting">{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/revents/01/19990199.htm#jul |title=Banned from voting |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=28 July 1999 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030425223423/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/revents/01/19990199.htm |archive-date=25 April 2003 }}</ref> In 2000, he was arrested for his role in the riots but was released because the [[statute of limitations]] expired.<ref name="Time world" /> In 2002, Thackeray issued a call to form Hindu [[suicide bomber]] squads to take on the menace of terrorism.<ref name="Thackeray for Hindu suicide squads">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Thackeray-for-Hindu-suicide-squads/articleshow/25248436.cms |title=Thackeray for Hindu suicide squads |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=15 October 2002 |access-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214152601/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-10-15/india/27292201_1_suicide-squads-annual-dussehra-rally-state-and-central-govenments |archive-date=14 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In response, the Maharashtra government registered a case against him for inciting enmity between different groups.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=15895 |title=Case filed against Thackeray for urging anti-terror suicide-squads |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=25 August 2007  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181915/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=15895 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> At least two organisations founded and managed by retired Indian Army officers, Lt Col Jayant Rao Chitale and Lt Gen. P.N. Hoon (former commander-in-chief of the Western Command), responded to the call with such statements as not allowing Pakistanis to work in India due to accusations against Pakistan for supporting attacks in India by militants.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Despite-Sena-threat-MNIK-opens-to-packed-theatres-across-country/articleshow/5564410.cms |access-date=28 February 2010 |title=Despite Sena threat, 'MNIK' opens to packed theatres across country |date=12 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811045755/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-12/india/28114312_1_multiplex-owners-inclusion-of-pakistani-players-single-screen-theatres |archive-date=11 August 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/61523/an-open-letter-to-uddhav-thackeray.html |title=An open letter to Uddhav Thackeray |date=12 February 2010 |publisher=IBN |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006062409/http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/61523/an-open-letter-to-uddhav-thackeray.html |archive-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the six-year voting ban on Thackeray was lifted in 2005, he voted for the first time in the 2007 [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation|BMC]] elections.<ref name="Voting ban lifted">{{cite news |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/oct/141009-Bal-Thackeray-Uddhav-Aditya-polling-booth-Election.htm |title=Thackeray ke Bal par... |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=14 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018072453/http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/oct/141009-Bal-Thackeray-Uddhav-Aditya-polling-booth-Election.htm |archive-date=18 October 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Eight or nine cases against Thackeray and ''Saamna'' for inflammatory writings were not investigated by the government.<ref name=":2" />

Thackeray said that the Shiv Sena had helped the Marathi people in Mumbai, especially in the public sector.<ref name="Public sector, Threats against other communities, businesses owned especially by Guj and Marwaris/">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Sena-fate-From-roar-to-meow/articleshow/1311115.cms |title=Sena fate: From roar to meow |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=11 August 2006 |date=29 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016033917/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Sena-fate-From-roar-to-meow/articleshow/1311115.cms |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Thackeray believed that Hindus must be organised to struggle against those who oppose their identity and religion.<ref name="Marathi Manus">{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/11/24/stories/2003112400851000.htm |title=On the wrong track |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114142108/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/11/24/stories/2003112400851000.htm |archive-date=14 November 2007 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> Opposition leftist parties alleged that the Shiv Sena has done little to solve the problem of unemployment facing a large proportion of Maharashtrian youth during its tenure, in contradiction to its ideological foundation of 'sons of the soil.'<ref name="No deliveries">{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2025/stories/20031219008601500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114142151/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2025/stories/20031219008601500.htm |archive-date=14 November 2007 |title=Diversionary tactics |work=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]] |access-date=8 August 2008 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

In 2006, Thackeray's nephew [[Raj Thackeray]] broke away from Shiv Sena to form the [[Maharashtra Navnirman Sena]] (MNS) during Thackeray's retirement and appointment of his son, [[Uddhav Thackeray|Uddhav]] rather than Raj as the leader of Shiv Sena. [[Narayan Rane]] also quit around that time.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Mishra |first=Ambarish |script-title=hi:राज महायात्रेत अलिप्त होते, कारण... |url=http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/17276242.cms |language=mr |newspaper=[[Maharashtra Times]] |date=19 November 2012 |access-date=20 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122014303/http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/17276242.cms |archive-date=22 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Sena acted as a "[[moral police]]" and opposed Valentine's Day celebrations.<ref name=":2" /> On 14 February 2006, Thackeray condemned and apologised for the violent attacks by its Shiv Sainiks on a private celebration in Mumbai. "It is said that women were beaten up in the Nallasopara incident. If that really happened, then it is a symbol of cowardice. I have always instructed Shiv Sainiks that in any situation women should not be humiliated and harassed."<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Thackeray-condemns-V-Day-attacks-by-Sainiks/articleshow/1419743.cms |title=Thackeray condemns V-Day attacks by Sainiks |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=18 February 2006 |location=Mumbai |access-date=13 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811045804/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-02-18/india/27813894_1_sena-mouthpiece-saamna-sena-chief-bal-thackeray-shiv-sainiks |archive-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Thackeray and the Shiv Sena remained opposed to it, although they indicated support for an Indian alternative.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Thackeray-suggests-Indian-version-of-V-Day/articleshow/1413273.cms |title=Thackeray suggests Indian version of V-Day |date=13 February 2006 |access-date=13 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811045812/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-02-13/india/27806760_1_sena-chief-bal-thackeray-valentine-s-day-saamna |archive-date=11 August 2011 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/right-wing-to-go-easy-on-couples-this-valentine-s-day-175815 |title=Right-wing to go easy on couples this Valentine's Day |work=NDTV.com |access-date=17 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217061835/http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/right-wing-to-go-easy-on-couples-this-valentine-s-day-175815 |archive-date=17 February 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, he was briefly arrested and let out on bail after referring to Muslims as 'Green Poison' during a Shiv Sena rally.<ref name="Time world" />

On 27 March 2008, in protest to Thackeray's editorial, leaders of Shiv Sena in [[Delhi]] resigned, citing its outrageous conduct towards non-Marathis in Maharashtra and announced that they would form a separate party.<ref name="TOI_quit" /> Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena's North India chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said the decision to leave the party was taken because of the partial attitude of the party high command towards Maharashtrians. Goyal further said that Shiv Sena is no different from [[Khalistan]] and [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|Jammu and Kashmir militant groups]] which are trying to create a rift between people along regional lines. The main aim of these forces is to split our country. Like the [[Maharashtra Navnirman Sena]], the Shiv Sena too has demeaned North Indians and treated them inhumanely.<ref name="TOI_quit">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Shiv-Senas-north-Indian-leaders-quit/articleshow/2902796.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |title=Shiv Sena's North Indian leaders quit |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=4 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811045731/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-03-27/india/27771941_1_shiv-sena-jai-bhagwan-goyal-marathis |archive-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/28/stories/2008032851310300.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |title=Delhi Shiv Sena chief resigns |location=Chennai, India |date=28 March 2008 |access-date=4 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402101931/http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/28/stories/2008032851310300.htm |archive-date=2 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>