Shiv Sena launches web war on caste Census

The Shiv Sena, which had opposed the Mandal Commission recommendations two decades ago, is invoking the philosophy of Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s father Keshav alias Prabodhankar Thackeray to oppose castewise Census.
The party has launched a website on Prabodhankar Thackeray, a social reformer who used to publish a fortnightly Prabodhan (Enlightenment) against social evil. Using Prabodhankar’s views against the caste system, the Sena seems to be reviving its anti-Mandal stand.
“Prabodhankar fought against undesired social traditions throughout his life, but the policy of the new government (of caste Census) has created a new casteism that will harm Maharashtra,” Bal Thackeray said in Sena mouthpiece Saamna on Saturday.
For the launch of the website, the Sena roped in the founder-president of the Dalit Panthers and noted poet Namdeo Dhasal, who writes a column in Saamna. Dhasal, who had fought street battles with the Sena in the 1970s, praised Prabodhankar for his fight against casteism. Dhasal said Bal Thackeray was carrying forward his father’s legacy and that Uddhav was also providing an able leadership.
Bal Thackeray has been all along opposing caste-based quota and favouring reservation based on economic status.