The petition was filed by an organisation named Muslim Yuva Atankvad Virodhi Samiti through their counsel Nawal Kishore Jha, seeking the court's direction to the Home Ministry to initiate legal action against Thackeray.
The intention, of formally coronating Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray as Hinduhridaysamrat (Emperor of Hindu hearts), may have been genuine but the man himself has nixed the plan.
Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray has vowed to oppose the Maharashtra government's decision to make Hindi a mandatory third language for students of Classes 1 to 5, stating that his party will not allow it. Thackeray, addressing an event of the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena, the workers' wing of the Shiv Sena (UBT), said his party has no aversion to the Hindi language but questioned the need to force it upon students. He also criticized the ruling BJP's approach, alleging their aim is to keep people under pressure and prevent unity. He accused the current government of working against the interests of Marathi and Maharashtra, and slammed Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for his alleged subservience to those he believes are harming the state's interests. Thackeray further criticized the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, arguing against the appointment of non-Muslims on the Waqf Board and questioning the government's intentions in appointing non-Hindus to Hindu religious organizations. He also claimed that his government was overthrown because he had stalled the implementation of labor codes in the state. Thackeray concluded his speech by urging party members to prioritize the hiring of Bharatiya Kamgar Sena union members in workplaces where the union has a presence.
Bal Thackeray said Raj can return to the Sena, but wanted him to make the first move.
Hitting out at Rane, he said, "Rane was greedy for power and he knows very well the reasons why I threw him out of the Sena. It is because of the Sena that he has earned a fortune and now he is out to destroy the same party."
The court also gave the Shiv Sena chief an ultimatum to be present before it on August 21, failing which it would pass an ex-parte order in the case.
The close-door meeting will be chaired by the Sena chief himself, the sources said.
A stream of eminent personalities from politics, films and corporate world reached the historic Shivaji Park ground in Mumbai to attend the last rites of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
The cricketing fraternity on Saturday condoled the sad demise of Bal Thackeray with fellow Maharashtrian Sachin Tendulkar leading the pack, saying the Shiv Sena patriarch will "always be remembered and missed".
Thackeray had stated at a public rally at Shivaji Park a few years ago that courts issued summons to him but he appeared as and when he desired.
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray turned 86 on Monday. The Sena chief's birthday was celebrated with enthusiasm with thousands of activists across the state visiting his residence Matoshri in suburban Bandra.
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was on Thursday admitted to a hospital in Mumbai after he complained of fever, hospital sources said. The 82-year-old Sena patriarch was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in suburban Bandra at 2 pm, they said. All the necessary tests are being conducted, the sources said.
Sejal Shah's flatly-narrated timeline would probably serve better as a documentary, observes Sukanya Verma.
Photographer Gopal Shetty sent us these exclusive photographs of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, which we reproduce along with quotes from the ailing leader.
Rediff.com showcases some of the cartoons drawn by late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has stated that there are ongoing "emotional talks" between his party and the MNS, though no formal alliance has been announced. Raut clarified that Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has not set any preconditions for rapprochement with his cousin, MNS president Raj Thackeray. The speculation about a possible reconciliation began after Raj Thackeray expressed willingness to work with Uddhav in a podcast interview. However, the MNS spokesperson downplayed the significance of Raj Thackeray's remarks, emphasizing the need for the Sena (UBT) to support the MNS's agitation for Marathi language and people. Uddhav Thackeray, while open to reconciliation, has cautioned against working with those deemed "enemies" of Maharashtra, an apparent reference to the BJP and the Shinde-led Sena.
Defying age and critics Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray made a public appearance on Wednesday to flag off a caravan that will carry son Uddhav's recently published photo book Pahava Vitthal from Mumbai to Pandharpur.
As Bal Keshav Thackeray, one of India's most polarising politicians and Shiv Sena chief died on November 17, people in Pakistan expressed hope that his anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan legacy would perish. Thackeray often referred to Indian Muslims as 'anti-nationals' and called for Hindu suicide squads to counter what he saw as a rise in Islamic terrorism.
Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's estranged nephew Raj Thackeray rushed to his uncle's defence on Wednesday, lambasting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for criticising the Sena patriarch.
The Mumbai Cricket Association is likely to deliberate on the proposal received from a couple of its affiliated units to name the commentators' box at the Wankhede stadium after late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.
Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting of party MPs and legislators on Friday afternoon amid reports of Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray's deteriorating health.
The man often referred to as the 'Boss of Mumbai' was cremated in the heart of the city he loved on Sunday evening.
Shiv Sainiks on Sunday made a beeline to Matoshree, the residence of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray in Mumbai to greet him on his 84th birthday but the veteran leader did not meet any of them owing to security reasons.
With Bal Thackeray's demise the Shiv Sena does not cease to be but it does weaken substantially. And it will take the two heirs to his legacy to overcome the setback together, says Mahesh Vijapurkar
In a sharp reaction to Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan's controversial remarks on Marathi, Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray on Tuesday asked her not to provoke Maharashtrians, saying it was Mumbai that gave identity to the Bachchans bestowing fame when they were an "unknown commodity".
From start to finish, Dharmaveer 2 feels less like a biopic and more like propaganda crafted for Eknath Shinde's political gain, observes Prasanna D Zore.
The Shiv Sena, an ex-BJP ally which has been a strong supporter of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, congratulated the people of the country over the long-awaited foundation stone laying ceremony for the grand temple.
The condition of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai following complaints of fever, is stable, doctors attending on him said on Friday.The fever has come down but he is very weak and feeling exhausted, doctors said, adding that the Sena patriarch needed complete rest. Doctors added that the results of all medical tests are normal.
Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, who has been taken off life support system, on Friday continued to show signs of improvement with party leaders terming his condition as stable.
Thackeray is facing the case, filed by a Nationalist Congress Party activist, in Andheri magistrate's court for an allegedly communally provocative speech given a year ago.
Munde, who returned to Mumbai after meeting top BJP leaders including Lal Kishenchand Advani and Rajnath Singh in Delhi, had a meeting with Thackeray at his residence during which the Shiv Sena leader wished him all success, Sena sources said on Friday. This is Munde's second visit to Thackeray's residence within a span of three days. Just before going to Delhi to meet the party bosses on Tuesday after raising a banner of revolt, Munde had met Thackeray.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said he has followed the principle of '80 per cent social work and 20 per cent politics' of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray in his career and pledged to continue working for the common man. Shinde's remarks came after the state assembly passed a unanimous resolution congratulating him for receiving the 'Adya Jagatguru Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Puraskar', a prestigious award from the Warkari (devotees of Lord Vitthal) community, earlier this month. The resolution comes amid a row over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's alleged defamatory remarks against Shiv Sena leader Shinde, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde demanding an apology from Kamra even as the opposition came out in his support.
The deteriorating health of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray has prompted the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena cadres to seek divine intervention. Since most of the party workers and leaders owed their allegiance to their parent organisation Shiv Sena before they crossed over to the MNS, floated by senior Thackeray's nephew, the failing health of the patriarch has made them worried.
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, who has been critically ill for the last few days, was a little better now and recovering slowly, senior party leader Manohar Joshi said on Sunday.
Thousands of people from all walks of life have kept a vigil outside Matoshree -- the residence on ailing Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray -- hoping for some good news about their beloved leader's fragile health.
A Mumbai court has issued summons to Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and executive editor of party mouthpiece Saamna Sanjay Raut asking the duo to appear on August 3 in response to a case filed against them for publishing news which allegedly incited
Bal Thackeray described himself as a missionary warrior for the cause of Marathi, but what it meant could never be deciphered by anyone, writes Kumar Ketkar
Bal Thackeray's absence at all party functions these days is proof, says Rane.
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, who was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in suburban Bandra two days ago, was "fine", the doctor treating him said.
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