The Prime Minister said that Balasaheb Thackeray was known for his sharp intellect, powerful oratory and uncompromising convictions, and commanded a unique connect with the people
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered rich tributes to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth centenary, and hailed him as a towering figure who profoundly shaped Maharashtra's socio-political landscape.
Thackeray, he noted, was known for his sharp intellect, powerful oratory and uncompromising convictions and commanded a unique connect with the people.
"On the birth centenary of the great Balasaheb Thackeray, we pay tribute to a towering figure who profoundly shaped Maharashtra's socio-political landscape," PM Modi said in a post on X.
On the birth centenary of the great Balasaheb Thackeray, we pay tribute to a towering figure who profoundly shaped Maharashtra’s socio-political landscape.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2026
Known for his sharp intellect, powerful oratory and uncompromising convictions, Balasaheb commanded a unique connect with… pic.twitter.com/Gneeh5E9AP
"In addition to politics, Balasaheb was deeply passionate about culture, literature and journalism. His career as a cartoonist reflected his keen observation of society and his fearless commentary on various issues," the prime minister said.
"We are greatly inspired by his vision for Maharashtra's progress and will always work to fulfil it," PM Modi said.
Balasaheb Thackeray, founder of the Shiv Sena, was a towering political and cultural figure in Maharashtra. Born on January 23, 1926, in Pune, he passed away on November 17, 2012, in Mumbai. He established the Shiv Sena on June 19, 1966, initially to advocate for the rights of the "Marathi manoos" and later emerged as a prominent proponent of Hindutva.
Thackeray began his professional journey as a cartoonist with the English-language daily in Mumbai, before leaving in 1960 to launch his own political weekly, Marmik.
Saamana pays tribute to Shiv Sena founder on 100th birth anniversary
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece, Saamana, which was launched in 1988 by Balasaheb himself, highlighted the significance of the centenary celebrations. The newspaper noted the convergence of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray at the main event held at Shanmukhanand Hall, where they paid tribute to the party's founder. The editorial described this joint homage as "perhaps the best birthday gift for Balasaheb".
The editorial emphasised that Balasaheb's legacy is measured not by age but by his actions and contributions. "Leaders like Balasaheb remain immortal and inspiring, irrespective of their age...Their greatness depends not on age, but on their actions, ideas, and contributions to society," the editorial stated.
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