Bal Thackeray was the Hitler of Maharashtra. He not only admired the ‘Great Dictator’ but also tried to emulate him by fighting the non-Marathis with all resources available to him. The number of people in various parts of India who must have celebrated the death of Bal Thackeray at least in the privacy of their hearts may not be minuscule. Just as Hitler wanted a Germany of pure Aryans, Thackeray wanted an India of pure Hindus. His blinkered vision rankled with inveterate hatred for Muslims and Christians, a hatred which went to the extent of getting even cricket matches and pitches dashed to wrack and ruin if the Pakistani team was in the vicinity. His men, mostly antisocial elements, went around assaulting people who celebrated the Valentine’s Day. He hated people for loving people. He did not hesitate to wield his cudgel against Sachin Tendulkar merely for stating that he was a Marathi but also an Indian . This very same Thackeray had, however, no compunction a
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