When comes such another...?

A leader is an individual who has followers. This is the simplest definition of leadership known to me. Every society acts as a nursery of leadership and influence in diverse ways. Sports, theatre, arts, education and industry all provide great avenues for effective leadership to emerge and get acknowledged by the society. However, the most visible and obvious platform for exemplary leadership has always been politics and governance.

Today, a pioneer of one distinct brand of political leadership in India takes his last journey. Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray has passed away and with his passing, however, cliché it may sound, an era has certainly ended. A cartoonist, a social reformer’s son, an activist and lastly a political behemoth in Maharashtra has breathed his last. A larger than life personality and a Godfather of sorts who claimed that his dictatorial iron fist of leadership was needed for progress today lays silent.

The spirit of regionalism was ushered in through the ‘Samyukta Maharashtra’ movement in the 1950’s. Prabodhankar Thackeray, balasaheb’s social reformer father was an integral part of this movement. Balasaheb at the time, was a cartoonist at the Free Press Journal, who had broken out to launch his own newsletter ‘Marmik’ which fought against the growing influence of Gujaratis and South Indians in Maharashtra. His father very passionately on a fine day in 1966 at Shivaji Park, launched him into mainstream politics by offering his “Bal” meaning Son in Marathi for the service of Maharashtra. Shiv Sena, an aggressive political outfit was thus born.

Some might say, he was an opportunist, who found a great chance to tap into the anger seeped into public sentiment due to the communist phase in Maharashtra through the 1960’s. Nehru died in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966 and the Congress was headless in that phase of a suffering economy full of stagflation. He instigated the support of the hoi polloi which felt deprived of chances and opportunities to progress. He fought for quotas in Government jobs for local youths.  He fought against the South Indians and later Gujaratis dominating the city of Mumbai emerging as the true ‘Son of the soil’ or a ‘Pranti’ as he preferred to call himself. He instilled in his people a sense of pride, who earlier felt humiliated in their own land. Nobody dared refer to them as “Ghaatis” in their own land post Shiv Sena’s ascent. His greatest gift perhaps to his people, was their self-respect.

He took over the reins of the industrial labour unions and he established his local network of ‘Shakhas’ which were local units / branches responsible to carry forward the work and ideology right down to the grassroots level.  Post the Babri Masjid demolition and the 1992 riots, his nuanced moves ensured that he got pitted as the “Hindu Hriday Samrat” (The king of Hindu hearts) further propelling him as a perceived strong Hindutva force in a strong alliance with the BJP. He was the Godfather to Bollywood giving them protection against the increasing horrors of the powerful Mumbai underworld. He stood behind a helpless father Sunil Dutt, looking to get justice for his erratic movie star son Sanjay. This ability to forge enduring relationship across party lines and ideologies is what truly made him a remarkable paternal figure.

The turn of the millennium saw surging aspirations and aspirations always lead to defections. He lost trusted lieutenants like Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane who left him to pursue their growing aspirations. His biggest blow came when his own protégé, Raj Thackerary, his nephew, who he was extremely close to and fond of broke away from the Shiv Sena to form his own outfit called ‘Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.’ 2004 Assembly election loss, partially crushed him, age did it’s thing too.

His appeal lied in the feudal concept of the rulers being the protectors of the interest of the ruled. His spirit of nationalism was unparalleled. His views were debatable, questionable and to some simply unacceptable, still, there are not many leaders who spoke their mind with as much conviction as him.

Legacy is a wonderful thing; it normally finds its deserving owner. If it is unable to do so, it erodes a part of itself at the hands of its creator. Balasaheb’s largest shortcoming some may say, is this ineffective handover of his legacy.  

It is ironic that historically, Indian political leadership comes from two divergent ends of the ideological spectrum. The 'Servant Leadership' of Gandhi or that of 'Constructive Violence' of Bal Thackeray. The void in between the two is why this nation suffers. As I exercise my fingers typing out this obituary, there are 2 million people crawling the streets of Mumbai following their fallen leader. There’s this lingering line which resurfaces in my memory from Julius Ceaser, when Antony says of Julius Ceaser, "Here was a Ceaser, When comes such another?"

Images Courtesy - Google Images