Why Waqf Amendment Bill has put Uddhav Thackeray in a quagmire

Suspense prevails over the stand the Shiv Sena (UBT) will take on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which is set to be placed in the Lok Sabha today for consideration and passage. The party is in a quagmire over the issue, as supporting the bill would antagonise Muslim voters, while opposing it would dent its credentials as a Hindutvawadi organisation.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, in a social media post, taunted Uddhav Thackeray, saying he would see whether Thackeray respects the thoughts of Bal Thackeray or follows Rahul Gandhi's path of appeasement. The linking of support or opposition to the bill with Hindutva has put Thackeray’s party in an uncomfortable position.

Since the 1980s, the Shiv Sena has metamorphosed into a political party adhering to a militant Hindutva ideology. The party's anti-Muslim stance was evident during the Bhiwandi riots of 1984 and the post-Babri Masjid demolition riots of 1992-93. Bal Thackeray overtly claimed Shiv Sena's role in the demolition of the disputed mosque.

The Shiv Sena's anti-Muslim tirade toned down after Uddhav Thackeray took over the reins in 2003. Unlike his father, Uddhav seldom used expletives or intimidating language against Muslims in his public speeches. However, he maintained that the party adheres to Hindutva ideology and proudly accepted Shiv Sena’s role in the Babri mosque demolition.