Man Of The Masses

There have been so many negative arguments, talks, discussions on Bala Keshav Thackeray after his death on Nov 17, 2012. Quite amusing to hear intellectuals pontificate over a man who never did pontificate.

As I saw the swarm of humanity (disputes are on whether it was 5 or 10 lakh people) at his funeral ceremony yesterday I remembered at once what my father told me many years ago. One day I came home after seeing a movie and told my Dad, I did not like it and it will be a flop. He laughed. He said the movie will be a hit. He told me your opinion does not matter. It is the mass opinion that matters. That clearly signified I was not one of the mass. I was 'educated' and  lived in a brick-and-cement home with very different realities but yet made opinions on what the majority would like and not like.

Like the movie, while most thought he was a flop, Balasaheb Thackeray  was a hit with the masses. That was clear on Nov 17. But nevertheless, the so called 'illusionary majority' sat in their safe and cozy homes and discussed on how the hell did he get a state funeral, why did the city have to shut-down, why do we need a memorial of him,  his people only knew violence, he held cities to ransom, who is he?. Who is he.. that question only the masses can answer. 

Little wonder then he joins a narrow group of most admired or liked people that includes Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, C N Annadurai, Vallabhbhai Patel and Babasaheb Ambedkar.