Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Shiv Sena will become a National Party?' that was published in Newsband

Shiv Sena will become a National Party?

The Shiv Sena seems to be returning to an intolerant form of Marathi chauvinistic politics. After the demise of founder Bal Thackeray, many predicted that the party would collapse after Thackeray, or would split vertically with a section joining the more strident Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. But the soft-spoken Uddhav Thackeray held the party together with his aggressive leadership style, and toured the State extensively before the Assembly election, connecting with its own mass base and stressing on the core issues that have traditionally defined the party. The Sena was thus able to hold its own against a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party, which was riding the crest of a Modi wave.

Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya is emerging as a forceful leader. Aaditya has been propagating a certain development agenda, and talking of expanding the Shiv Sena nationally. Now that’s a great idea. Aaditya should go ahead with his dream of making Shiv Sena a national party. One cannot deny that what worked for Sena thirty years ago cannot work today. India has moved on and all parties relying on communal politics in the old days have to change. The Sena drew blood entirely through their Maratha vote bank and frequently targeted Biharis, Tamils, Gujratis etc. Sena should sportingly accept the fact that Mumbai would not be the Commercial capital without the contribution of these people.

Aaditya's recent stand on Mumbai's night life is promising. Sena should revive from its traditional style of politics and try adapting to modern style, with someone like Aaditya behind the curtain. Sena's future in Indian politics depends on how they stay away from Marathi Chauvinism and bring an Indian perspective to their politics. The Sena's Marathi chauvinism and militant Hindutva agenda have substantial support in Maharashtra. If it dilutes its core beliefs, the party will become a permanent junior partner of the BJP. Hence these dilemmas need honest introspection. Reinventing a party and embracing change are painful exercises. As of now, the Sena seems incapable of undertaking these difficult tasks.

Sena recently displayed its strong support to Marathi films and opposition to Westernized Maharashtrian Journalist Shobha De. The fact is Marathi films are no less than Bollywood films. They are honest films, and not made only for box-office success. They cover a wider range of human stories which are really sensitive. The Marathi artists are honest and not yet driven by lucre. But in a free market, it is not about Marathi, it is not about the industry, it is not about the Government. It’s simply about the viewer. If after being tax-free and getting other support, Marathi films still need to be supported by compulsory slots then they are doing something wrong which needs to be corrected. If Marathi films are not watched and do not become popular it is also probably because they are not masala films. The Marathi film makers will have to invent a new formula that will make their films sell.

As far as Shobha De is concerned, Sena should leave her alone and let her express her views any way she wants simply because the Book on Indian Constitution permits her to do so.