It was passed on from Bal Thackeray to his son Uddhav and now, as the Shiv Sena gears up for Aaditya Thackeray’s visit to Ayodhya on Wednesday, there is a subtle subtext – it is time to pass the stick of Hindutva to the Thackeray descendant. Present him in your own right as a leader who is ready to step out of his father’s shadow.
In Ayodhya, Maharashtra Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray will perform saryu aarti and worship at Ram Lalla’s temple in a yatra called “purely religious” by Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut.
The Ayodhya yatra assumes significance because it is not only a reinforcement of the Shiv Sena’s Hindutva plank – it is a badge that was worn with respect since the time of Bal Thackeray, but lost its sheen after the alliance with the NCP and Congress Maybe – but it is also the first solo journey of 32-year-old Thackeray, whom the Shiv Sena is keen to project as its next big thing.
It was in 2010 that Aaditya Thackeray made his formal political debut, when Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray handed him a symbolic sword at the party’s annual Dussehra rally.
Over the years, a gradual softening of Shiv Sena’s stance has been linked to the youth leader’s effort to win over the youth. He was instrumental in persuading the Shiv Sena to drop its Valentine’s Day protests, and talked about Mumbai’s nightlife, open spaces and sports facilities – taking a detour from the rigid Hindutva stand.
The halt in Uttar Pradesh is also significant as Aaditya’s uncle Raj Thackeray had announced a visit to the temple town with much fanfare but canceled his visit citing health reasons, as a BJP MP from UP called the MNS chief. Due to the opposition strongly objected to his visit. North Indians are standing.
At a time when Raj Thackeray – the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief – is trying to reinvent himself politically and is said to be aligning with the BJP, the Shiv Sena has reminded its support base. For have taken it upon themselves. Basically fought for Hindutva.
The party, however, rejects the visit of Thackeray’s descendants to be one to “justify” their Hindutva. “Shiv Sena never used Lord Ram for political reasons. It is just a pilgrimage. Our Hindutva is not about showing off,” Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande was quoted as saying.
show of strength
The Shiv Sena has reportedly booked two trains from Mumbai, each carrying around 1,700 to 1,800 party members, while much has already left in buses. As reported by The Print, around 8,000 party workers from Mumbai and Thane alone are expected to visit Ayodhya.
Speaking to reporters, Raut had earlier said: “Shiv Sena has a long association with Ayodhya, ever since the struggle for the temple began and even later. We have unwavering faith in Lord Ram and our leaders or workers come here regularly… Praying at Ram Lalla Mandir fills us with a divine energy.”
He said that Uddhav Thackeray had come to Ayodhya when he did not hold any post, and later visited even after becoming the chief minister.
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