- Raj Thackeray
Infobox_Indian_politician
name = Raj Thackeray
caption = Raj Thackeray
birth_date = birth date and age|1968|06|14
birth_place =Mumbai ,Maharashtra ,India
residence =Mumbai ,Maharashtra ,India
party =Maharashtra Navnirman Sena , Founder & President(Since 2006)
religion = Hindu Raj Thackeray ( _mr. राज ठाकरे) (bornJune 14 ,1968 ) is the founder and president ofMaharashtra Navnirman Sena (Maharashtra Renaissance Party), which is a regional party in the state ofMaharashtra inIndia . He is the nephew ofShiv Sena chiefBal Thackeray .Career
Once seen as the future leader of
Shiv Sena , Thackeray started his political career with Bal Thackeray'sShiv Sena party in Maharashtra. On9 March 2006 , Raj Thackeray formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) after being allegedly 'sidelined' by the Bal Thackeray’s son Uddhav. [cite news|url=http://specials.rediff.com/news/2005/dec/01sld1.htm |title=Raj Thackeray: The tiger cub|date=2005-12-01|publisher=Rediff |accessdate=2002-01-03] Shiv Sainiks (Shiv Sena members) who supported Raj’s leadership, in contrast to his cousin Uddhav (Bal Thackeray's son), joined the MNS. The party was founded on the ideology of being the benefactor of the local Marathi population ("Marathi Manoos"), an ideology that the party members felt the Shiv Sena had given up on. He recently became a controversial political figure in India due to his rhetorical speech against people fromnorth India . Incidentally, he has been alleged to promote violence in Mumbai targeting immigrants fromnorth India , particularly fromUttar Pradesh andBihar . His recent statement against actressAmitabh Bachhan [cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080064919&ch=633567722760060000|title=Angry Big B hits back at MNS in blog] and theMumbai Police Commissioner [cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080064984|title= Raj Thackeray now targets Mumbai joint commissioner] are examples of his continued efforts to wooMaharashtrian s by targeting immigrants fromnorth India , cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/File_MNS_wants_job_quota_for_Marathis/articleshow/2938213.cms|title=MNS wants job quota for Marathis|date=2008-04-09|publisher="The Times of India "|accessdate=2008-06-10] He blamednorth Indians immigration into the state ofMaharastra as the reason for a shortage of jobs for the local Maharashtrians, but the disruptions caused by his actions have caused a reduction in highly paid software service jobs in the state. [cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=333849 accessdate=2008-10-08|title=Infy shifts Pune staff on construction delay|date=2008-09-09|publisher=Business Standard of India] [cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-31926620080213?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Raj Thackeray arrested in Mumbai, gets bail|date=2008-02-13|publisher=Reuters ]Controversies
In February 2008, Raj Thackarey's speech on the issue of uncontrolled migration into
Mumbai from other parts of India created a well publicized controversy. Maharashtra's economy leads other states in India and its capital Mumbai has become a magnet to migrant population from the north Indian states ofUttar Pradesh andBihar . MNS supporters clashed with activists of theSamajwadi Party , a regional party from Uttar Pradesh leading to street violence. Thackeray also criticized noted film actor turned politicianAmitabh Bachchan , a native of Uttar Pradesh, for taking sides in the migrant issue. Bachchan came into fame and fortune in Mumbai's film industry –Bollywood . [ [http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/03mns.htm Jaya takes on Raj; MNS, SP activists clash in Mumbai] ] [ [http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/02raj.htm?zcc=rl Raj Thackeray flays Amitabh for UP interests] ]Some political pundits attributed Thackarey's support for migrant issue an election gimmick and an attempt at gaining publicity for 2009 elections in the state. Others called it a strategy to embarrass Shiv Sena, which is increasingly wooing north Indian votes. [ [http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/08mns.htm?zcc=rl Analysis: What drove Raj Thackeray's party to violence] ]
Thackeray, along with
Samajwadi Party leaderAbu Asim Azmi , was arrested by the Mumbai Police onFebruary 13 ,2008 under sectionSection 135 A of theIndian Penal Code . [ [http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/13raj.htm Mumbai: Raj Thackeray held, Abu Azmi out on bail] ] He was granted bail on the same day. [ [http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080041168&ch=2/13/2008%206:58:00%20PM Raj Thackeray granted bail] ] On 1 October 2008, a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued by a Bihar court against himy for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Biharis. [ [http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Oct12008/national2008100193069.asp?section=updatenews Non-bailable warrant against Raj Thackeray] ]On 6 October 2008, Shiv Sena activists held rallies against Raj Thackeray after he suggested that
Bal Thackeray no longer wrote the editorials for the Shiv Sena party newspaperSaamana in order to explain away negative coverage of himself without criticizing his mentor. [ [http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Shiv-Sainiks-burn-Raj-Thackeray--s-effigy/369952/ Shiv Sainiks burn Raj Thackeray's effigy] ]During a
Non-Resident Maharashtrian Day interview withMaharashtra Times , Thackeray claimed that if he had beenChief Minister of Maharashtra theTata Nano would have been produced in the state in spite of his record of job destruction. He again called non-Marathis residing or born in the state outsiders who are now living in fear thanks to his actions and claimed that future agitations of his party will be even more intense. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Mumbai/Nano_wouldnt_be_with_Gujarat_if_I_was_the_CM_of_Maharashtra_Raj_Thackeray/rssarticleshow/3576322.cms Nano wouldn't be with Gujarat if I was the CM of Maharashtra: Raj Thackeray] ]References
In september 2008 Mr Thackrey was involved in a feud with Mrs Jaya Amitabh Bacchan over anti marathi comments at the film premiere of the movie "Drona" which stars Abhishek Bacchan.After a public apology by Mr Amitabh Bacchan the matter was resolved.
External links
* [http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Do-political-movements-need-to-obey-the-law-What-about-Advani-rath-yatra-Modis-Godhra-outrage/276266/ Raj Thackerey's response in "The Indian Express" to Sudheendra Kulkarni's criticism]
* [http://www.meemarathi.tv/marathiworld/categories.php?cat_id=188 Cartoons created by Raj Thackerey]
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