Raj Thackeray’s full name is Raj Shrikant Thackeray. He is the founder of the right wing Marathi regional political party named Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Bal Thackeray the leader of Shiv Sena is his uncle. He was born on 14th July 1968. His father is Shrikant Thackeray and his mother is Kunda Thackeray. His official name is Swarraj. He married Sharmila, daughter of Mohan Wagh, actor, producer and director of Marathi film. His son is Amit and his daughter is Urvashi. Raj Thackeray finished his schooling at Bal Mohan Vidhya Mandir School in Dadar, Mumbai and graduated at Sir J. J. College of Arts. He was a painter and a cartoonist in his younger days.
He had to face some controversies. He was accused in the Kini murder case but later the case was dismissed by CBI. He was also caught up in the Kohinoor mill controversy. He bid for the land and won but this sale was opposed by Shiv Sena. When Jaya Bachchan wife of Amitabh Bachchan said ‘ We are from UP and so we speak Hindi, people of Maharashtra please excuse’ she was greatly condemned by Raj Thackeray and his men attacked theatres and finally Amitabh has to tender an apology.
In October 2008, he insisted to reverse the lay-offs of additional workers into Jet Airways and this became a great issue. He condemned the leaders for politicizing Chhath Puja claiming that only Maharashtra day should be celebrated and not UP day in Maharashtra. In October 2009, he and his men objected the reference of Mumbai as Bombay in the film Wake Up Sid. The film producer Karan Johar has to profusely apologize.
Raj Thackeray said in 9 November 2009 that oath in the State Assembly should be taken only in Marathi and attacked the MLA Abu Asim Azmi who took oath in Hindi. He also made the telecom companies of the state to provide customer service in Marathi. In February 2008 he led a violent movement against the dominance of North Indians in Maharashtra. His party also banned the Australian cricketers, participating in IPL 3 from playing in Mumbai as a mark of protest against the attack of Indian students in Australia. |
