Figuring out Raj Thackeray :

People fear him, people love him. People find him unreasonable and yet for many he is the reason. Certain sections of the media hate him, but can’t stop talking about him. The man is full of contrasts and hence an enigma. His controversial stand on things has been a topic of much discussion and yet, his perspective is misunderstood. So on a busy Sunday afternoon, I settle down to ask Raj Thackeray the questions that have plagued my mind. Adrenaline flows freely as a bunch of people are putting together the final stages of is soon to be launched website. In the midst of it all, Mr. Thackeray patiently hears out my queries and challenges my thoughts with valid counter questions.

1. Your name is Swararaj Thackeray. Tell us about your journey from Swararaj to Raj Thackeray.
   
   
2. You just mentioned that you love music. What’re your musical influences?
   
   
3. In your younger years, you have been around your uncle Balasaheb, who was very encouraging and supportive towards artistes. When you set up Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, we notice that a lot of artistes hold key positions within MNS. Is this the influence of Balasaheb?
   
   
4. But if you are an artiste and your friends understand your position, why is it that the people get terrorised by the very same stand?
   
   
5. You’ve always appreciated art, but post 26/11, you took a stand that Pakistani artistes should not be allowed to perform in India.  Your father was a fan of Ghulam Ali and Mehdi Hassan’s and yet this stand?
   
   
6. You are an ardent follower of Adolf Hitler as well as Mahatma Gandhi? How do you manage that?
   
   
7. But your stand is clearly against migrant workers coming into Maharashtra. What about those Maharashtrians who travel to the US or other countries for work?
   
   
8. Many agree with your stand, they understand what you’re trying to achieve but they don’t agree with your means of achieving the result. What do you have to say to them?
   
   
9. Mumbai is one of the safest places in India for women. Things like abductions, rapes etc. which are a regular phenomenon in states like Bihar are relatively in check in a city like Mumbai. What is your take on preserving this environment?
   
   
10. You just said that the citizens should be least disturbed by the government or the administration. But with your entire campaign, a lot of labourers fled the state, halting work in the factories. If your campaign causes such economic stops, you must have a solution?
    
    
11. This stand of yours has been discussed again and again in the media and many sections openly spoke about disliking your ‘fascist’ ideologies. And yet, there are thousands of people who adore you, look up to you. Do you think the media is trying to influence people against you, and why?

I came to interview Mr. Thackeray, but by the time I walked out, he had planted numerous questions in my mind to! The man stands for values he believes in and however extreme his views are, they now make sense to me.

- Shakti Salgaokar