MUMBAI: Sunday's sunset hour of 6.15pm drew the curtains on a legacy that spanned four decades of Marathi 'asmita' (pride). In a rare honour, Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray, who never held government office, was cremated with full state honours at Shivaji Park maidan rather than the crematorium nearby.
Thousands of mournful Sainiks who had assembled from all parts of the state sent up a chorus of "Balasaheb amar rahe! (Balasaheb is immortal)" after the police fired a 21-gun salute.
The city wound down entirely and this time the Tiger himself had not called a bandh.
Minutes before Thackeray's son, Sena CEO Uddhav Thackeray, lit the funeral pyre backed by brother Jaidev and cousin Raj Thackeray, scores of politicians cutting across party affiliation filed past the body to pay homage.
The Shiv Sena is keen that a memorial to Sena supremo Bal Thackeray be built at Shivaji Park at the same place where he was cremated, it is learned. Mantralaya and civic sources said the Sena had asked not only for Thackeray's cremation to be held at Shivaji Park but also that a memorial be set up for him. There is already a statue of Meenatai Thackeray at the entrance to the park.
Full state honours for Balasaheb
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Full state honours for Balasaheb
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Full state honours for Balasaheb
