Shiv Sena wants Bal Thackeray birth anniversary declared holiday for schools

If Shiv Sena, one of the ruling parties in the BMC, has its way, January 23 will be a holiday for schoolchildren. January 23 is late Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary.

Prajakta Sawant, a Sena corporator, has moved a notice of motion seeking that the BMC forward a proposal to the state government to declare a holiday for civic schools on Thackeray's birth anniversary.

The proposal is slated to be discussed during BMC's general body meeting next month.

"Thackeray was like a storm. His birth anniversary is an auspicious day for people of Maharashtra. Keeping this sentiment in mind, it is proposed to make youngsters aware of his contribution towards society. We want the BMC to declare a holiday for civic schools on January 23 in his memory," Sawant said.

While the motion is likely to be approved during the meeting, given Sena-BJP's majority inside civic House, the party wants to extend the holiday to non-civic schools too, which is a prerogative of the state government.

Opposition parties, however, think the timing of tabling the motion is poll-oriented. "Thackeray was a great leader who fought all his life to protect the interests of Hindus. Unfortunately, it seems the present leadership of Sena is trying to use his name to strengthen vote bank during election year. They should instead focus on following his ideology and act accordingly," said Devendra Amberkar, Opposition leader in the BMC.

But mayor Sunil Prabhu denied there was any political motive behind the proposal.