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Raj Thackeray

About Raj Thackeray

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Who is Raj Thackeray?

Swararaj Srikanth Thackeray, better known as Raj Thackeray, was born on June 14, 1968 to Srikanth Thackarey, Bal Thackarey's younger brother. Since childhood, he was inclined to music, with his father teaching him the violin, tabla and guitar. Under the tutelage of his uncle, Bal Thackeray, Raj started making cartoons for Marmik, the weekly magazine.
 
Raj Thackeray is married to Sharmila Wagh, the daughter of Marathi filmmaker and photographer Mohan Wagh.
 
Education
Raj Thackeray attended the Bal Mohan Vidya Mandir School in the Sena stronghold of Dadar and later graduated from Mumbai's Sir J J Institute of Applied Art. Under the tutelage of his uncle, Bal Thackeray, he joined Marmik, the weekly magazine of Bal Thackeray, as a cartoonist.

Political career
Raj joined Bal Thackarey's political outfit, the Shiv Sena, and started his political career. However, in 2006, he resigned from the Shiv Sena following a spat with cousin Uddhav and formed his own party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. From the outset, however, he has maintained that there were no hard feelings between him and his uncle, his mentor. His party works along similar lines as the Shiv Sena.
 
Raj Thackeray has been involved in active politics but is not a member of any House of Parliament. His political outfit has been known as being pro-Maratha and he has been very vocal about the rights of the people of Maharashtra. From time to time, MNS has staged protests and dharnas in support of the Marathi manoos. When Bal Thackeray passed away in 2012, the MNS stood along with the Shiv Sena in solidarity.
 
In 2008, he campaigned for Marathi signboards on shops across Mumbai. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had issued an order for the same. After the date of order compliance expired, the MNS workers started blackening the boards that were not in Marathi. Six MNS workers were arrested and later released on bail. On several occasions, Raj Thackeray and the MNS have protested against Bollywood movies for hurting the Maratha and national sentiments. Raj has also been vocal against Pakistani artists working in India.
 
Raj Thackeray supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the chief minister of Gujarat for his policies and development. However, Thackeray has openly criticised Modi and his government since it has assumed power at the Centre.

Latest Updates on Raj Thackeray

The MNS failed to win a single seat in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, which were swept by the Mahayuti

Updated On: 08 Dec 2024 | 5:10 PM IST

Danve said Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's political position is ambiguous

Updated On: 30 Nov 2024 | 3:03 PM IST

The MNS managed to secure only 1.8 per cent of votes and failed to win any seats

Updated On: 25 Nov 2024 | 12:49 PM IST

Maharashtra Assembly elections: Mahayuti coalition leads in 229 seats, while Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance leads in 53 seats and others in six Assembly constituencies

Updated On: 23 Nov 2024 | 4:21 PM IST

Maharashtra Assembly elections: Mahayuti coalition leads in 219 seats, while Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leads in 55 seats and others in 14

Updated On: 23 Nov 2024 | 12:39 PM IST

Maharashtra went to polls on November 20 to elect representatives for its 288 seats, with spotlights on sons, daughters, nephews, and cousins of some prominent political dynasties vying for power

Updated On: 22 Nov 2024 | 10:24 AM IST

Yugendra Pawar, candidate of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), will take on his uncle and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, representing the NCP, in Baramati seat

Updated On: 10 Nov 2024 | 10:16 AM IST

Raut highlighted the stark contrast between Thackeray's past opposition to BJP leaders and his current alignment with them, raising questions about his motives as elections approach

Updated On: 31 Oct 2024 | 12:48 PM IST

Amid the news that Pakistani movie 'The Legend of Maula Jatt' starring Fawad Khan will release in India, MNS Cinema Wing President Ameya Khopkar has threatened theatre owners against screening it

Updated On: 21 Sep 2024 | 6:02 PM IST

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray further claimed the outfits led by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar will not get these anti-incumbency votes in the assembly polls

Updated On: 24 Aug 2024 | 2:54 PM IST

Polling was being held on Wednesday in the Mumbai Graduates, Mumbai Teachers, Nashik Teachers and Konkan Graduates constituencies of the state legislative council

Updated On: 26 Jun 2024 | 11:35 AM IST

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had declared unconditional support to the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP in Maharashtra

Updated On: 28 May 2024 | 1:05 PM IST

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray will share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shivaji Park

Updated On: 17 May 2024 | 9:47 AM IST

He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken in its fold 'all corrupt persons'

Updated On: 10 Apr 2024 | 12:50 PM IST

Addressing his party's annual rally in Mumbai on Gudi Padwa, Raj Thackeray announced unconditional support to 'Mahayuti' and backed PM Modi

Updated On: 10 Apr 2024 | 6:40 AM IST

The Mahayuti alliance currently has three constituents, the BJP, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)

Updated On: 19 Mar 2024 | 11:58 PM IST

There was speculation recently of the MNS joining the National Democratic Alliance after Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar met Thackeray in the latter's Shivaji Park home

Updated On: 24 Feb 2024 | 5:47 PM IST

He said the ECI should face action for pressuring teachers into taking up poll duty by warning them of disciplinary action

Updated On: 19 Feb 2024 | 2:38 PM IST

Thackeray was referring to Fadnavis' statement on Sunday in which he said small vehicles are exempted from paying tolls

Updated On: 10 Oct 2023 | 8:00 AM IST

Thackeray spoke to reporters in Thane after meeting party leader Avinash Jadhav who has been on a hunger strike for the last four days to protest the toll hike that came into effect on October 1

Updated On: 08 Oct 2023 | 2:44 PM IST