Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid rich tributes to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary, describing him as a towering personality whose vision for Maharashtra’s progress continues to inspire generations. The Prime Minister said sustained efforts would be made to realise Thackeray’s ideals and carry forward his legacy.

In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said Balasaheb Thackeray profoundly shaped Maharashtra’s socio-political landscape through his sharp intellect, powerful oratory and unwavering ideological commitment. He noted that Thackeray shared a deep and unique bond with the people of the state, which remained central to his political influence for decades.

Highlighting Thackeray’s multifaceted personality, the Prime Minister said his interests extended beyond politics into culture, literature and journalism. He recalled that Thackeray began his professional journey in the early 1950s as a cartoonist, using satire and sharp observation to comment fearlessly on social and political issues, a trait that later defined his public life.

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Balasaheb Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926, in Pune and passed away on November 17, 2012, in Mumbai. An Indian journalist, cartoonist and politician, he founded the Shiv Sena in 1966, a party that went on to become a dominant force in Maharashtra’s politics. Known for advocating a strong pro-Hindu ideology, he left a lasting imprint on the state’s political and cultural identity.

Before entering active politics, Thackeray’s cartoons appeared not only in Indian publications but also in international outlets such as Japan’s Asahi Shimbun and The New York Times. His weekly Marathi journal Marmik, launched in the 1960s, strongly articulated regional identity and concerns, laying the ideological foundation for the Shiv Sena under the slogan “Maharashtra for Maharashtrians.”

Despite never holding a constitutional post or contesting elections, Thackeray was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in Maharashtra. His influence was evident during the Shiv Sena–BJP government in 1995, when Bombay was officially renamed Mumbai, a move seen by supporters as symbolic of his enduring legacy and vision for the state.

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