Prime Minister Narendra Modi last visited Mumbai's Shivaji Park on February 6, 2022 when legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was cremated here. Two years later, he is returning on the same ground to address a political rally. The visuals from Shivaji Park on May 17 will contrast sharply with Raj Thackeray's rallies during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Just as in the present instance, the MNS refrained from contesting elections then. However, the party chief, Thackeray, traversed Maharashtra, targeting PM Narendra Modi in public gatherings and urging voters to remove him from power. Fast forward five years, Thackeray will now stand alongside Modi, asking people to vote for the BJP to ensure Modi's continued premiership. Some in political circles dub the upcoming event as "momentous", marking the first joint address by the former adversaries. However, the Modi-Thackeray rally seems modest in comparison to the historical significance of Shivaji Park. Situated in the heart of Mumbai, the park holds a storied past, having witnessed numerous political upheavals.
The park, spanning 28 acres, was established by the British in 1925, originally named Mahim Park before being rechristened as Shivaji Park in 1927. It served as a venue for pivotal meetings during India's struggle for independence. Notably, it was a focal point for the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, advocating for Mumbai's inclusion in Maharashtra during the state's linguistic reorganization. Shivaji Park holds a prominent place in the Shiv Sena's history, hosting its inaugural rally led by Bal Thackeray in 1966. It was reported that a crowd of four lakh people had gathered which spilled out of the park premises. Since then, it has been customary for the Shiv Sena to convene its annual gatherings here on Dussehra. When Manohar Joshi assumed office as Maharashtra's first Shiv Sena Chief Minister in 1995, his swearing-in ceremony took place at Shivaji Park, breaking tradition with Raj Bhavan. Similarly, Uddhav Thackeray, upon becoming Chief Minister in November 2019, opted for Shivaji Park for his swearing-in ceremony.
Bal Thackeray continued to address annual rallies and election meetings at Shivaji Park until his passing. In 2010, he introduced his grandson, Aaditya, into politics from the same platform. Upon Thackeray's demise in 2012, he was cremated at Shivaji Park, where a memorial now stands in his honour.
Adjacent to the park lies Chaitya Bhoomi, where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was cremated in 1956. Raj Thackeray's residence sits nearby, with the Sawarkar Memorial to the west. Notably, the former sea-facing bungalow of Mumbai's mayor, once adjacent to the memorial, has been relocated to accommodate a larger tribute to Bal Thackeray. Surrounding Shivaji Park are several gymkhanas and clubs, including eight cricket clubs where cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar honed their skills under the tutelage of coach Ramakant Achrekar. To practice at Shivaji Park, Tendulkar left his home in Bandra and lived with his relatives near the ground. In addition to Tendulkar, many other cricketers such as Ajit Wadekar, Sandeep Patil, Vinod Kambli, and Ajinkya Rahane have also practiced at Shivaji Park. Even today, many budding cricketers can be seen playing here. Beyond sports, the area has been home to many prominent figures in Marathi arts and literature.
In February 2022, the revered playback singer Lata Mangeshkar was cremated at Shivaji Park, attended by Prime Minister Modi. Following her cremation, the BJP proposed constructing a memorial in her honour at Shivaji Park, a suggestion rebuffed by the then governing authorities. Concerns persist regarding the park's use as a crematorium for celebrities, underscoring its multifaceted significance.
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