Big Bosses No More

The insipid joint Thackeray protest against Big Boss shows that no one even cares what they are up to

When television channel Colors invited Pakistani artistes to be part of the reality show Bigg Boss 4, they must have expected protests from the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)—both self-appointed custodians of Indian patriotism. In times of TRP ratings, every controversy is welcome. Both political outfits did not disappoint. 

Shiv Sena’s ageing patriarch, Bal Thackeray, who is now confined to his residence in Bombay, predictably thundered in the columns of his party mouthpiece Saamna. He once again said he would not allow Pakistanis to step on to Indian soil. His son and executive president of the saffron party, Uddhav, echoed his stand. A band of hooligans reached the Bigg Boss House at Lonavala. 

Interestingly, Thackeray’s nephew, MNS President Raj Thackeray, echoed the exact words of his uncle. And another band of hooligans reached the venue. They are both now protesting against the channel. Since each party does not want to be outdone by the other, they are ensuring that protestors even reach the venue at the same time—not a minute here or there.

This, in fact, is the latest in a long list of events that has seen the estranged cousins speak in the same voice, but at separate venues. If the issues they are picking up are the same and their grumbles are the same, then one wonders why there are two parties. And can two parties that speak alike survive apart? 

The cousins also need to figure out if there’s anything new they can do. Their roster of issues is fast fading. Pakistani bashing is old hat and no one even listens when it is done. 

Maharashtra, alas, has become bored with the Thackerays, and for valid reasons. You will never see them protest against the American Consulate when it denies visas to Marathi manoos or against powerful corporates who don’t reserve jobs for sons-of-the-soil. When an MNS leader from Thane, Rajan Raje, took on a powerful company headed by a north Indian on the jobs issue, his boss asked him to withdraw the agitation. Raje was subsequently thrown out of the MNS. That’s the extent of Raj Thackeray’s activism.

Pakistanis will continue to come to India and there will be nothing the cousins can do, except protest. What was once a roar is now a mere whimper that no one bothers listening to.

About The Author

Haima Deshpande