Thackeray's public cremation marks a first for Mumbai

Thackeray's mortal remains will be consigned to flames on a specially-erected public platform at the historic Shivaji Park in Mumbai,  on Sunday evening, marking the first time a public cremation has occurred in Mumbai since Independence.

Supercop and former Mumbai police commissioner Julio  Rebeiro (also a former ambassador) said there had been no instance of a public cremation in Mumbai, at least since Independence. "All big and small funerals have been performed only at the designated funeral sites. This is something
new for Mumbai," Rebeiro said on Sunday.

An official of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), who declined to be identified, said that  special arrangements were made for the first-ever public cremation in the city at Shivaji Park in view of the  massive crowds expected to attend. A home department official said that in view of the huge crowds likely to turn up for the sad event, it was decided to permit a public cremation at Thackeray's favourite spot, Shivaji Park, which he always referred to  as 'Shiv Tirth'.

According to Mumbai police estimates, around 1.50 million people are expected to take part in the cremation  on Sunday. Starting with a funeral procession from Bandra east, there will be several thousands of viewers
lining the streets to witness the procession; around half a million are expected to gather around Shivaji Park.

This will make Thackeray's funeral one of the biggest public events in recent history; massive security arrangements  are in place to ensure discipline. Incidentally, in August 2011, former Union minister and Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was accorded a similar public cremation in his tome town of Latur.