In last three years since the death of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray Sena leaders have been unable to get space for their leaders’ statue or memorial
Mumbai : It is ironical for the Shiv Sena that despite being the ruling party in the Mumbai civic body for years, it has been unable to find a proper space for a memorial or statue for their mentor, the late Balasaheb Thackeray. Next month, Shiv Sena is going to celebrate their leader’s fourth death anniversary and there is no plan about the memorial.
On Friday, the group leaders in the civic body approved a proposal that the BMC will erect a statue of the late Balasaheb Thackeray. But, the civic body has already passed a resolution in the past that no new statue will be permitted in Mumbai. According to the resolution, no new statue is to be allowed any more to come up on the city’ roads and footpaths because of violence sparked by incidents of statue desecration. It was passed in 2006 after a desecration of Shiv Sena chief’s wife Meenatai Thackeray’s statue at Shivaji Park.
Shiv Sena is in power for many years. In the last twenty years, Sena is enjoying undisturbed power in the civic body. After Balasaheb Thackeray’s death, the Shiv Sena leaders announced various proposals about the memorial, but nothing has materialised. It indicates apathy towards their leader and lack of vision among Sena leaders.
According to Sena leaders, the statue will come up at the Regal Junction, on a traffic island. But considering the BMC’s resolution it is doubtful whether it will come up at all.
In 2000 and 2001, in two separate resolutions, the state government has already proposed restrictions on the erection of statues. In 2006, the state government had laid down guidelines on statues in public places, stating that those who wished to erect statues must undertake to maintain the structure as well. But, even if some organisations were willing to maintain and protect a statue, permission will depend upon “current social scenario.”
Sena leaders are also eyeing the land of Racecourse at Mahalaxmi, which is not likely to materialise as the state government is not even discussing the issue. Secondly, they are considering mayor’s bungalow for the memorial, which is civic body’s property. As Balasaheb did not hold any position in the government or BMC, the civic body would not be able to hand over the land for his memorial. Besides, the mayor’s bungalow is heritage structure and a political party cannot change its identity for their leader.
Ex-mayor, MLA Sunil Prabhu, who is personally following the issue said Sena leaders decided to erect a statue of the leader in Fort area. “We have a plan to construct a memorial near Shivaji Park. Very soon we will find a solution,” he said.
According to data of BMC, there are approximately 12,000 statues in Mumbai on public as well as private property, and the defiling of two of them – Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue in Ramabai Nagar, Ghatkopar, on August 11, 1997 and Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s wife Meenatai’s statue at Shivaji Park in June 2006 — had led to widespread disturbances in the city.
Other proposals, apart from statue
Various proposals to name landmarks after Balasaheb Thackeray have also been brought before the BMC. Half-a dozen proposals to name roads, hospitals, gardens – and even city’s entry points – had been tabled in the BMC. While some had been already approved some, others are in the pipeline.
Trauma care hospital
The BMC has already named a trauma care hospital near the Western Express Highway at Jogeshwari. The BMC spent Rs 125 crore to cater to accident victims.
Health University
There is a demand from MP Rahul Shewale, that the BMC’s proposed health university at Lokmanya Tilak Hospital be named after Thackeray.
BKC-Kurla Road
The BMC’s group leaders have passed a proposal to name the road connecting Bandra-Kurla Complex to Kurla after the late Sena leader. The proposal was mooted by Shiv Sena legislator Ravindra Waikar.
Eastern Freeway
The MNS had demanded that the newly opened Eastern Freeway be named after Thackeray. Former MNS legislator Bala Nandgaonkar had written a letter to then Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
City’s entry points
Fromer mayor Datta Dalvi has proposed that all five entry points into Mumbai, like the check nakas at Mulund on the Eastern Express highway and Dahisar on the Western Express Highway, be named after Thackeray. The proposal is pending with the civic group leaders.
Powai Nature Park
Another proposal waiting to be approved one that seeks to name a park along Powai Lake after Thackeray.
