Bal Thackeray with his son Uddhav Thackeray and grandson Aditya Thackeray.
Balasaheb Thackeray’s name has been continuously resonating in the politics of Maharashtra for the last 6-7 decades. More than 13 years have passed since his death, but he is still discussed in political circles. Born on 23 January 1926, Bal Thackeray’s full name was Bal Keshav Thackeray, and people respectfully called him Balasaheb Thackeray. Bal Thackeray, who was a cartoonist in the early days of his career, had given a strong platform to the voice of Marathi people and Hindu interests by forming Shiv Sena. Balasaheb did politics with pride all his life, but there came a time when he was not only banned from contesting elections but his name was also removed from the voter list.
When Bal Thackeray was banned from contesting elections
In July 1999, on the recommendation of the Election Commission, President K. R. Narayanan had banned Bal Thackeray from contesting elections for 6 years. Bal Thackeray was accused of violating the Model Code of Conduct. He was accused of giving inflammatory speeches in the 1987 Maharashtra Assembly by-elections. Bal Thackeray had allegedly sought votes in the name of religion in support of Shiv Sena candidate Yashwant Ramesh Prabhu from Vile Parle seat in Maharashtra. Let us tell you that under Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, asking for votes on the basis of religion, caste, race or language is prohibited and punishable. In such a situation, the Election Commission had recommended action against him to the President.
What did Balasaheb Thackeray say?
Balasaheb Thackeray was accused of using Muslim names in his speech to appeal to Hindu voters to vote for the Hindu candidate of Shiv Sena. He had said that if Shiv Sena candidate Ramesh Prabhu wins, it will not be the victory of Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena or Ramesh Prabhu but of Hindu religion. In his speech he had reportedly said that if we start digging whatever mosques are there, Hindu temples would be found there. After this, Balasaheb, while addressing the voters, had said that the person who has Lord in his name should be sent to the Assembly to contest elections in the name of religion.
Bal Thackeray is still relevant in Maharashtra politics.
Congress candidate knocked on the door of the court
After Thackeray’s speech, Congress candidate Kunte, who was attacking Prabhu, reached the Bombay High Court regarding this matter. He filed a case against Bal Thackeray and Ramesh Prabhu for violation of the Model Code of Conduct under Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act 1951. In 1989, the High Court issued a notice on that petition to cancel the election victory of Ramesh Prabhu for violation of Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act 1951. The High Court ruled on the matter in 1991 and voided Prabhu’s victory and also barred him from contesting elections for 6 years.
The matter reached the Supreme Court and then the Election Commission
Prabhu reached the Supreme Court against the decision of the High Court but he did not get relief from there either. At the same time, Bal Thackeray was also convicted in the case of inflammatory speech. Thackeray was not holding any public post at that time, so the Supreme Court gave the right to decide on his punishment to the Election Commission. The Election Commission formed a committee to decide the punishment against Bal Thackeray, which in 1998 recommended to the President to deprive Bal Thackeray of his voting rights. After this, the President approved the recommendation of the Commission and Bal Thackeray was not only banned from contesting elections for 6 years but his name was also removed from the voter list.
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