Uddhav Thackeray, the former Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, has recently intensified his campaign to reclaim the hardline Hindutva turf, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of betraying its ideological roots. Speaking to reporters during the winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature held on Tuesday, Thackeray raised pressing questions about why the nation's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, has not been awarded to revered Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, directly challenging the BJP's authority on the matter.
Thackeray's comments come following earlier criticism of the BJP's credentials on upholding Hindutva ideals, which he deemed inconsistent. "When Devendra Fadnavis was chief minister, he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a request to bestow the honour on Savarkar. Even today, he's the chief minister, and his demand has not been considered. Then BJP has no right to speak on Savarkar. I reiterate my demand for the nation's highest honour be bestowed on Savarkar," he asserted, emphasizing the urgency behind his appeal.
Continuing his discourse, Thackeray urged the BJP and Congress to set aside their historical disputes surrounding figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Vinayak Savarkar and instead prioritize contemporary issues affecting citizens. He urged for greater focus on developmental challenges rather than ideological battles, stating, "Both Nehru and Savarkar are historical figures who made their contributions. Today, what we need is focus on development, addressing farmers' issues, improving infrastructure, and resolving unemployment." Thackeray lamented the political tendency to get caught up in blame games, which detracts from more pressing matters concerning public welfare.
Thackeray's concerns extended to the recent proposal for ‘One Nation, One Election,’ wherein he called for broader public debate and scrutiny of potential impacts on democracy. He commented, "Electoral reforms should strengthen democracy rather than create procedural complexity," vocally advocating for decisions aimed at bolstering the democratic framework rather than complicate it. He also suggested choosing the Chief Election Commissioner through elections, opposing the current direct appointment system by the government.
His skepticism wasn't just confined to voting mechanisms; he raised concerns about the trustworthiness of electronic voting machines (EVMs), advocating for their replacement with traditional ballot systems. "If ballot voting yields the same results as EVMs, why is there reluctance to return to ballots?" he asked, signaling toward broader issues of voter confidence and integrity within the voting process.
Thackeray’s critique of the current government wasn't limited to electoral processes. He lambasted the BJP-led government’s environmental policies, charging it with favoring urban over rural welfare. Highlighting the planned cutting of 1,400 trees for the Metro Car Shed project, he questioned whether the government was acting on expert opinions or merely pushing its own agenda. He described the state government as having operated unconstitutionally and expressed discontent with its governance efficiency, remarking, "There is no joy among the ruling parties, and even their victory doesn't resonate with the public; protests continue, and people are disillusioned with the government’s failure to deliver."
The Shiv Sena (UBT) also rallied against the recent demolition notice served to the 80-year-old Hanuman Temple outside Mumbai’s Dadar station, reinvigorated claims of protecting the cultural and religious heritage of Hindus. This action struck at the core of Thackeray's renewed commitment to Hindutva, continuing from prior attacks on the BJP-led government's failure to adequately protect Hindus facing atrocities across the border, particularly in Bangladesh. "If PM Modi managed to halt the Russia-Ukraine conflict to repatriate Indian students, should he not similarly halt the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh?" Thackeray questioned, infusing his statement with irony to spotlight the perceived hypocrisy of government priorities.
A recent social media controversy resurfaced the sensitive topic of the Babri Masjid demolition, which occurred on December 6, 1992. Thackeray's close aide shared troubling remarks aligned with the late Shiv Sena founder's praise of the demolition, which noticeably strained relationships within the opposition coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Though the MVA, comprised of parties including Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, had formerly allied to oppose the BJP, such actions threaten to unravel these partnerships. The All India Ulema Board has called for strict dissociation from Thackeray's faction, indicating wider ramifications for the political alliances formed against the BJP.
Concluding his remarks, Thackeray strongly articulated his position, urging political players to focus on immediate governance rather than engaging perpetually in ideological disputes. "What we do now is what matters. Enough of pointing fingers, let us act," he proclaimed, clearly delineATING the pathway for political leaders moving forward – prioritizing the public's pressing needs over historical debates. His relentless push for the Hindutva narrative combined with calls for accountability and action signifies not just attempts to reclaim lost ground but also frames the political discourse leading toward Maharashtra’s future.
