Name calling in Shiv Sena politics

Two days ago, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray released a note attacking Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

The language of the letter came as a surprise to many, mainly because of the unruly language used.

The foul language, which Thackeray family had used for others, is now being used in their own family.

Calling people names is not new to the Shiv Sena, a party headed by Bal Thackeray. On several occasions, he targeted his opponents, crossing all levels of decency. However, now the trend seems to be reversed and the family members have resrted to being abusive with each other.

The Sena chief has called Pawar ‘a sack of flour’ and ‘Baramaticha mhamdya’ (Baramati’s goon).  Thackeray in his speeches has always made fun of Sonia Gandhi’s Hindi accent and Italian origin in her initial political years.

Veteran socialist activist Mrunal Gorhe in the 80s was called ‘Putanamavshi’ (a devilish character from Lord Krishna’s life).

Narayan Rane was taunted as ‘Dedfutiya’ (dwarf) and ‘Kombdi chor’ (chicken thief), while Chhagan Bhujbal was called ‘Lakhoba Lokhande’ (a traitor in the times of Shivaji Maharaj). Except Bhujbal in 1998, no one bothered to return the insults to Thackeray.

Though the MNS chief hasn’t replied to Uddhav, he has said that Uddhav’s letter has been kept in a safe deposit box and will be taken out at the appropriate time.