Sena relents, to remove memorial on December 17

The Shiv Sena on Friday agreed to remove the makeshift memorial to late Sena chief Bal Thackeray from Shivaji Park on December 17, exactly a month after he passed away.

The Shiv Sena on Friday agreed to remove the makeshift memorial to late Sena chief Bal Thackeray from Shivaji Park on December 17, exactly a month after he passed away.

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Sena MP and Saamna executive editor Sanjay Raut wrote to civic chief Sitaram Kunte confirming the move.

The reply was in response to a letter that the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had sent to Raut as well as mayor Sunil Prabhu, asking them to remove the structure, as it had overstayed its one-day permission.

In his reply, Raut defended the Sena’s earlier refusal to remove the memorial. He said, “On December 17, it will be a month since Balasaheb passed away. According to Hindu traditions, the rites after death generally last for a month. Balasaheb was God for lakhs of Shiv Sainiks and hence, keeping their sentiments in mind, we kept the memorial for a month. On December 17, we will remove the memorial.”

Kunte’s office confirmed the receipt of the letter, and said the move was welcome.