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Sena minister compares Thackeray to Mahatma
Shiv Sena minister Subhash Desai compared late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray with Mahatma Gandhi saying if monuments can be made for the ‘Father of the Nation’ though he did not hold any Constitutional post, the same can be done for Bal Thackeray.
Desai has demanded the same status be extended to the late party patriarch too. Congress leaders have termed Desai’s comments “outrageous” and one that “aims at promoting disharmony” among the masses.
Bhagwan Rayani, the social activist who run Janhit Manch and Forum for Fast Justice, two Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Bombay High Court against the proposed memorial of Bal Thackeray.
Rayani has objected to the use of government funds and allotment of the Mayor’s bungalow for the proposed memorial.
Rayani said, “It is a waste of public money for the person who was not on any constitutional post. There is no need to vacate Mayor’s bungalow for the memorial as the bungalow has an identity of a Mayor who represents the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Moreover, the structure itself has heritage value.”
While reacting, the Sena minister Desai said that some people always object over building memorials of great leaders. “Bal Thackeray was great leader. It’s a great wish of Shiv Sainiks and the government that there should be memorial to Thackeray,” said Desai.
When told that objections have been raised about Thackeray’s constitutional post, Desai said, “Mahatma Gandhi also did not hold any constitutional post. He did not hold any government post. Still there are number of memorials of Gandhi, the government has built it.”
He added that nobody had objected to Gandhi memorials, then why the objection to a Thackeray memorial? “Government will take its stand on memorial in High Court during hearing,” he said.
Congress has criticised Desai for his controversial statement and comparison. Al-Nasser Zakaria, Congress state secretary, said, “What else can be expected from Shiv Sena leaders apart from hooliganism, making outrageous comments and being a part of Maharashtra government just to ensure the party does not disintegrate and become a part of history.”
“Gandhiji is called a Mahatma and Father of the Nation because it is due to him we got freedom. While Balasaheb is a highly respected figure, it would be outrageous to compare him with Gandhi-ji,” said Zakaria.