As both factions of the Shiv Sena celebrated the birth anniversary of the party founder, the late Bal Thackeray, on Thursday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena demanded that the late Thackeray be posthumously awarded the country's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna.
On the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the late Bal Thackeray on his 99th birth anniversary, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam advocated for the "bestowal" of the Bharat Ratna on the late leader, the supreme of the united Shiv Sena. He said that if the Modi government conferred the country's highest civilian honor on Thackeray, it would be a fitting tribute to the Sena patriarch ahead of his centenary celebrations, which will begin next year (2026).
Balasaheb (January 23, 1926 - November 17, 2012) founded the Shiv Sena on June 19, 1966.
Along with Thackeray, Raut demanded that freedom fighter Veer Savarkar be honored with the Bharat Ratna as well.
"Like Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Balasaheb Thackeray never occupied any constitutional office, but he was regarded and respected as a leader in his own right-not only in the country but across the world. On the occasion of the upcoming Republic Day (January 26) celebrations, we demand that the government declare the names of both late Thackeray and Veer Savarkar for the Bharat Ratna," Raut said.
"We have never asked for anything for Balasaheb Thackeray… However, this is the desire not only of Shiv Sainiks but of the people of Maharashtra, India, and Hindus around the world. All the party MPs have also made a similar plea today," Raut added. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah after they paid homage to Balasaheb on X, Raut said that conferring the Bharat Ratna on the Shiv Sena founder would be the true tribute to the late Shiv Sena chief.
"Before late Balasaheb's centenary year begins, it is fitting that he be awarded the Bharat Ratna. You could not give the Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar. If you give the Bharat Ratna to Balasaheb, it will also be an honor for Veer Savarkar," Raut stated.