"He had suffered a cardiac arrest. We could not revive him despite our best efforts. He breathed his last at around 3:33 pm," Dr Jalil Parkar, who treated the Sena supremo, said.
Bal Thackeray had been critically ill for the last few days and his condition worsened on Wednesday night when he had to be put on life support. He was taken off life support after showing signs of improvement.
Thackeray had been suffering from lung and pancreatic ailments and had been under the supervision of doctors for the past two weeks. Before that he was admitted to hospital for a week in July following fever, stomach pain and other problems.
He is survived by two sons Uddhav and Jaidev and their families. While Uddhav who now runs Sena, lives with Thackeray, Jaidev moved out several years ago due to strained ties. Thackeray's other son Bindumadhav died in an accident 15 years ago. His family also lives in Mumbai.
Popularly known as the Hindu Hriday Samrat (ruler of Hindu hearts), Thackeray had single-handedly created and then transformed the Shiv Sena from a rag tag bunch of street youth in 1966 into a formidable political force which governed the state of Maharashtra for a period of four years from 1995 to 1999 along with its Hindutva ally the BJP.
A rabble rouser, who started out as a cartoonist alongside R K Laxman in the Free Press Journal in the 1950s, Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 on the plank of job security for the Marathi manoos (sons of the soil) which translated into attacks on South Indians whom he blamed for taking away business opportunities from locals.
Referred by many as the uncrowned King of Mumbai, Thackeray made space for himself in Maharashtra’s political arena by addressing the concerns of Maharashtrians who increasingly felt marginalized and deprived in the fast developing metropolis of Mumbai.
In the five decades of the Sena’s existence, Thackeray formed an alliance with almost all political parties including the Congress, Socialist and even the Muslim League at various points of time to further his own cause.
Thackeray, however, had an anathema of adorning any constitutional posts and was happy in governing through “remote control.”
The Sena supremo’s darkest political hour was when he was personally indicted by the Srikrishna Commission Report for directing a pogrom against Muslims in Mumbai in December 1992-January 1993.
An astute politician, Thackeray was also well known for being a lover of the good life and had a huge circle of friends amongst Mumbai's filmstars.
As he aged, his penchant for sipping warm beer had given way to having a glass of red wine on the suggestion of suggested doctors.
In short, Thackeray defied every political stereotype reflected tellingly in a popular saying that went something like this: 'You could like him, you could desist him, but you could never ignore him'.
His demise is a loss to nationalists in Maharashtra also in India.Shri Thakery made history as a strong personality having certain principles.
One man ........one TIME..
Shivsena lost its face...
In my life, I didn%u2019t meet Balasaheb Thakare. But, there is a considerable impact of his leadership on my mind. He was straightforward, brave, and a kind leader. Indians will never forget him. May his soul rest in peace. Subhash Janardhan Bhore, Malaysia
All politicians seem to be saying that "Oh he was a good man..." or "we were rivals but friends..". If fear is the key to a kingdom, then this human being was the King Undisputed of that Kingdom. But then - this is true of every regional satrap. Mulayam, Amma, Didi, Madam (she being not-so-regional though) - you name them, they have "it", the ability to strike fear in people. As i write this, i fear for my safety. Fear that some "sainik" (soldier, for God's Sake!) might take offence and come vandalize my life, leaving me to the mercy of an even more feared terror organization - the Mumbai Police!! Be that as it may, I do hope his soul rests in peace, wherever a soul goes to... I also suspect that the Nephew will keep the hatred-mongering alive and ensure that the Congress rules the golden goose for a few decades more. History is like a virus. It may mutate a bit (just a little bit) but repeat itself it Must! Daraa Daraa Har Insaan, Issliye Maraa Bharat Mahan.
It is very sad news for all over india. maharashtra is safe in his hand. he is very strict leader. Now signalling the end of an era in maharashtra politics.
A great loss to the country , a great leader , May his soul rest in peace , a role model to everybody , Never seen anyone as bold and fearless as him , Maharastra was safe in his hands .
All Maharashtrians are feeling sad and bad about the untimely departure of great warrior and a big persona like Balasaheb Thakrey.He was was a all time Hero & committed ideologist towards Hinduism and Nationalism.Maharashtra and the nation will always remain indebted due for his contribution in building the future of young India.May his soul live in peace
No doubt he was having great leadership power and ever changing strategy to remain in limelight. He always changed his ideology to remain in news. HE WAS NEVER A PATRIOT. He only spread hatred and imposed each Marathi with hate politics against all non-Marathi people, starting from South India to North India. How one could even think of him as a PATRIOT. He was really a nice cartoonist but in reality he never thought about country. And now his next generation in doing same.
I am glad he is no more. He was a goon, political blackmailer, extortionist with his hands in many rich peoples pocket and benefited from the Landlords or Bombay with protection money offred to them. May his flesh burn in hell for hatred and fear he spread against Biharis, Muslims and Tamils.
You are a Mr.Nobody. No one cares about you. What you feel is inconsequential. When you die not even a termite would cry. On the contrary millions mourn the death of our leader. Balasaheb Thackeray Amar rahe!
You have summed it up perfectly. Thackeray's political career was all about him and his close coterie. The common man meant nothing, his status worse than a termite. He will live and die unsung, while lakhs like him attend weeping at the great leader's funeral.
Rejoicing at a funeral is your culture. This will lead you to heaven. Dead while living
Balasaheb Thackeray was a man whose speech use to bring strong feelings in anybody's heart so by missing him I am feeling sad now there is his nephew Raj Thackeray for inspiring next generation
A great son of India is lost.He is a true patriot of our motherland. we must follow his example in word and spirit. that will b great tribute.
He brought out the worst in Maharashtrians and made every educated Indian hang his head in shame. Hopefully, with his passing, his legacy will serve as a warning of what happens when political violence goes unchecked by the state.
I THINK WE LOST MOST VALUABLE MAN
We have lost the true son of India, who relentlessly forced many govt to change their path for the welfare of the hapless majority people of India. We pledge that this great son of India to be remembered for ever.
Marathi locals got solace from his histrionics while his family prospered from the contacts. Hope a better intellectual that really promotes cultured Marathi arises in his place.
Balasaheb man of will power and telling what he feels right without fear of any one. It is sad to hear about his death ,we pray for peace to his soul
Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray is no more but his memories are still alive in the minds of the Indian's . A real Hero committed towards his commitments towards Hinduism , A perfect ideology personality and above all a visionary personality towards Nationalism vision .
We always adore his courage and his liking in siding with TRUTH while dedicated his entire life for GOOD of the Common General Public only; even though his style of expressing himself was much different from others and accordingly we morn his sudden departure from us with deepest respect in the heart.May his soul live in peace and under utmost TRANQUILITY to remain as a force to us still while building the future of the NATION.
It is an end of another era!! It is sad, but inevitable. Hope, his followers have the strength to take this peacefully.