The 13th death anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park, Dadar, in Mumbai, on November 16, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Thousands converged at Shivaji Park on Monday (November 17, 2025) to pay tribute to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on his 13th death anniversary at his memorial, the event marked by bonhomie between cousins, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Mr. Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi, son Aaditya, and cousin Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Mr. Raj Thackeray gathered at the memorial with leaders from both parties.

The Thackeray cousins, once arch rivals, have warmed up to each other ahead of local body polls and have given enough hints of forming an alliance, but have yet to announce it. Ailing Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also reached the site sporting a mask and holding the hand of his brother and party MLA Sunil Raut.

The Shiv Sena founder passed away on November 17, 2012, at his residence ‘Matoshri’ in Mumbai after a prolonged illness.

Mr. Raj Thackeray, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated that Bal Thackeray was the first to build a political party on a movement based on linguistic pride. “Before caste politics became more intense and the BJP’s ‘kamandal’ politics flared up, it was only Bal Thackeray who kept the Hindu self-respect alive,” he wrote.

शिवसेना पक्षाचे संस्थापक, हिंदुहृदयसम्राट आणि माझे काका स्व. बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांची आज पुण्यतिथी. देशाच्या इतिहासात भाषिक अस्मितेच्या जोरावर एक प्रचंड चळवळ निर्माण करून त्यातून एका राजकीय पक्षाला जन्म देणारे बाळासाहेब. आणि पुढे जातीय अस्मिता तीव्र होण्याच्या काळात आणि भारतीय जनता… pic.twitter.com/Z223LMW51S

— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) November 17, 2025

Mr. Raj Thackeray said, “The Shiv Sena founder never saw Hindus as a vote bank. For him, it was a matter of pride and love for religion.” He further added, “And while doing so, Bal Thackeray never abandoned rationality. He was an ardent lover of Hindutva, which is why his critical thinking never ceased.”

In a veiled jibe at the BJP, the MNS president said that the notion of politics of merely winning votes, grabbing power, and then squandering it has become a norm. “It was Bal Thackeray who instilled the idea of prioritising social work over politics,” he said.

Published – November 17, 2025 04:19 pm IST