Shiv Sena chief says sorry to Marathas

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday apologised for the cartoon that appeared in the party's mouthpiece Saamana poking fun at the Maratha rallies. Mr Thackeray clarified that the cartoon was not meant to hurt anyone, especially the women.

The Sena chief's apology comes close on the heels of the cartoonist regretting his error, which did not work in favour of the party. Bowing down to the pressure from the Maratha community following the controversy, two legislators and an MP from the Sena had to tender resignation. The controversial cartoon had appeared in last Sunday’s edition of Saamana ridiculing the ongoing protests by the Maratha community for quota in jobs and education. The Saamana office in Navi Mumbai was also attacked for printing the cartoon.

“As president of Shiv Sena and editor of Saamana, I apologise to all mothers and sisters, who may have been inadvertently hurt by the cartoon. But, the cartoon never intended to disrespect anybody,” Mr Thackeray said.

“My heart is still in a state of turmoil. I am deeply hurt because a Shiv Sainik can never humiliate women, whom we worship. I am thankful to the people who did not let their trust in the Sena dwindle due to the controversy that had been generated,-" the party chief said. On the delay in tendering the apology, Mr Thackeray said, “I was watching who all will try to take political advantage out of this controversy and was waiting to see if the people's trust in us will get eroded.”

Blasting the opposition Congress and NCP, Mr Thackeray alleged they were trying to take political advantage. “Sena will not bow before anyone,” he said.

The Congress said if his apology was indeed heartfelt, he would have done so immediately after the cartoon was published. “Uddhav Thackeray has understood the gravity of the situation very late. His apology only shows his exasperation,” Congress’ Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said.