Bal Thackeray was a prominent politician and the founder of Shiv Sena, a right-wing regional party in Maharashtra. He was known for his fiery speeches and his influence on Mumbai’s politics and culture. Sanjay Dutt was a popular Bollywood actor who faced several legal troubles, including charges of involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bombings. How did these two men cross paths and what was the nature of their relationship?
According to various sources, Bal Thackeray and Sanjay Dutt shared a bond of friendship and respect that lasted for decades. Thackeray supported Dutt during his difficult times and defended him from his critics. He also helped him get bail and parole on several occasions. Dutt, in turn, expressed his gratitude and admiration for Thackeray and attended his public rallies and events. He even called him his “father figure” and “godfather”.
Some of the instances where Thackeray helped Dutt are:
- In 1993, when Dutt was arrested for possessing illegal weapons and accused of being involved in the Mumbai blasts, Thackeray wrote an editorial in his party’s mouthpiece Saamana, saying that Dutt was innocent and being framed by the police. He also claimed that Dutt had acquired the weapons for self-defense during the communal riots that preceded the blasts.
- In 1995, when Dutt was released on bail after spending 18 months in jail, Thackeray personally welcomed him at his residence Matoshree, and gave him a shawl as a gesture of blessing. He also advised him to focus on his career and stay away from trouble.
- In 2007, when Dutt was convicted and sentenced to six years in prison by a special court under the Arms Act, Thackeray again came to his rescue and appealed to the then President of India Pratibha Patil to pardon him. He also wrote another editorial in Saamana, saying that Dutt was a victim of circumstances and deserved mercy.
- In 2013, when Dutt was granted parole for a month on medical grounds, Thackeray’s son and successor Uddhav Thackeray intervened and extended his parole by another month, citing his wife’s illness. This sparked controversy and criticism from the opposition parties and civil society groups, who accused the Thackerays of misusing their power and favoring a convict.
These are some of the examples of how Bal Thackeray helped Sanjay Dutt throughout his life. Their friendship was based on mutual respect and affection, despite their differences in ideology and background. They remained loyal to each other till the end. Thackeray passed away in 2012, while Dutt is still active in the film industry.
Article: My Inputs + AI Generated.
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