Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun19: Marking its 60th anniversary, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday asserted that the party has survived numerous attempts to weaken and divide it over the decades, claiming that its enduring strength has always unsettled political opponents.
In an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction said several rival groups claiming the Sena legacy had emerged and disappeared over the years, but the ideological foundation laid by Balasaheb Thackeray has remained intact.
Without directly referring to the recent rebellion involving six Members of Parliament, the editorial said that several “imitative organisations” driven by political and commercial interests continue to surface, but emphasised that the Shiv Sena was never established as a business venture.
It stated that Balasaheb Thackeray ensured the party remained rooted in its core principles and periodically removed opportunistic individuals to preserve its identity as a movement dedicated to Marathi pride and Hindutva.
The editorial highlighted the party’s role in empowering Marathi-speaking citizens and fostering a sense of self-respect, particularly in Mumbai.
It said Shiv Sena gave ordinary people the confidence to assert their rights and built an extensive grassroots network of Shakhas (local branches), which functioned as community support centres that addressed everyday issues ranging from water disputes and school admissions to healthcare assistance and ration card-related concerns.
According to the party, Shiv Sainiks consistently stood by citizens and responded immediately whenever incidents of injustice were reported.
The editorial also alleged that in recent years, organised efforts have been made to undermine the party and weaken Maharashtra’s self-respect.
It claimed that from the very beginning, individuals driven by political ambition repeatedly betrayed the organisation, but the Shiv Sena endured every setback because its opponents lacked the courage to challenge it directly.
Recalling Balasaheb Thackeray’s own words, the editorial said he had once lamented that so many wounds had been inflicted on his back that there was no room left for another.
The party further said Shiv Sena transformed the concept of social service by actively participating in relief efforts during accidents, bomb blasts and other emergencies.
It cited blood donation drives, educational initiatives, health camps and the distribution of books and notebooks as examples of the organisation’s outreach, adding that the party became a dependable support system for labourers and working-class families.
The editorial said this sustained public engagement eventually enabled Shiv Sena to expand its political footprint from local bodies to the Maharashtra Assembly and Parliament.
It also claimed that the party had a unique ability to elevate ordinary citizens to positions such as councillors, MLAs, MPs and ministers, strengthening its image as a symbol of Maharashtra’s pride.
Reflecting on the party’s six-decade journey, the editorial acknowledged that while loyal supporters remained committed, some leaders had abandoned the organisation for personal gains, describing it as evidence of declining political morality.
The Uddhav Thackeray camp also reiterated the party’s commitment to Hindutva, stating that Shiv Sena played a significant role in movements related to Malanggad and Ayodhya and made considerable sacrifices in promoting its ideological agenda.
Questioning contemporary proponents of Hindutva, the editorial asked whether they had achieved even a fraction of what Shiv Sena had accomplished over the years.
Drawing parallels with the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the editorial said Balasaheb Thackeray carried forward the mission of protecting Hindu identity while safeguarding the nation’s unity.
It concluded by reaffirming that “Nation First” remains the party’s guiding principle and declared that the Shiv Sena’s legacy would continue for generations to come.