Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamna stands with a faded Saffron image today. The Shiv Sena mouthpiece remains in the hands of Balasaheb Thackeray’s son Uddhav Thackeray. SS-UBT is a motley bunch of politicians with no relevance in the heart of the Marathi people.
Uddhav’s political aspirations made him quit Shiv Sena’s only ideological partner to do the unthinkable – join hands with Congress – something which Balasaheb vocally opposed!
Since then he made numerous anti-Hindu statements that shamed his father’s; legacy. However, his latest action bleached the saffron off from Saamna. The magazine labeled those demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb as “Hindu Taliban“. Once a proud proponent of Hindutva, Saamna now echoes the language of those who coined the phrase “Hindu Terrorism”.
From ‘Mad Hindu’ to ‘Hindu Taliban’ – The Uddhav Paradox
I am a Mad Mad Hindu 🔥
The real leader to take forward the firebrand Hindutva of Balasaheb Thackeray is none other than Yogi.
Batenge Toh Katenge 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wxFXPwSPoD
— Kashmiri Hindu (@BattaKashmiri) November 19, 2024
Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of Shiv Sena, never minced words about his Hindu identity. He famously declared, “I am a Hindu. A Mad Mad Hindu.” Under his leadership, Saamna was the fiercest advocate of Hindutva, countering Congress’s ecosystem and its anti-Hindu propaganda.
Whether clad in bhagwa, white, or black – Balasaheb Thackeray was an unapologetic Hindu till the end!
Balasaheb Thackeray continued his work through “Saamna” and all his politics against Islamic fundamentalism in India.
Today his son Janab Uddhav's "Saamna" is calling Hindu organizations as Taliban.
Not only is their politics deteriorating, their thinking is deteriorating even…
— Vicky kalludi (@vickykalludi) March 17, 2025
However, in 2022, after the split with the BJP, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena found itself in bed with strange anti-Hindu bedfellows like Sharad Pawar or Congress. In a bid to secure Muslim votes, the party has abandoned its core Hindu ideology to reach out to Muslim voters. Thereby, forcing core Hindutva warriors like Eknath Shinde to take back the party name, symbol, and ideology from Uddhav Thackeray.
Today, the Hindus of Maharashtra are disillusioned with Uddhav Thackeray’s defanged SS-UBT. Hence, in the latest Saamna editorial, he allowed the equating of Hindus protesting against Aurangzeb’s tomb with the Taliban. He called anyone who opposes Aurangzeb and his tomb to a Hindu Taliban!
Moreover, SS-UBT accuses Hindus of being “enemies of history” and claims they are “distorting Hindutva”—a statement that contradicts Shiv Sena’s very foundation.
This shift is not accidental. Uddhav Thackeray’s political survival now depends on aligning with the same Congress ecosystem that once pushed the ‘Hindu Terror’ narrative. The question arises: Is Uddhav’s desperation for power so intense that he is willing to dismantle everything his father built?
Saamna – The Magazine That Stood Against ‘Hindu Terror’ Narrative
The term ‘Hindu terror’ was first popularized by Congress leaders like Digvijaya Singh during the UPA regime. It was a blatant attempt to create a false equivalence between blatant Islamist terrorism and isolated incidents involving Hindus. This narrative gained traction with the arrests of individuals accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts.
The Congress ecosystem used “Hindu Terror” to undermine Hindutva and paint Hindus as violent extremists – in India and abroad.
Back then, Saamna was at the forefront of countering this propaganda. The newspaper’s editorials vehemently opposed the branding of Hindus as terrorists. In 2019, Uddhav Thackeray himself spoke against the “Hindu Terror” term in rallies! Shiv Sena of the past accused the Congress of maligning Sanatan Dharma. The undivided party declared that Hindu resistance was a response to centuries of aggression, not terrorism.
Saamna, the mouthpiece of Uddhav Sena calls organizations like VHP & Bajrang Dal as "Hindu Taliban" for asking to remove Mazaar of Aurangzeb.
What a fall for Uddhav! pic.twitter.com/h4v9hbbOfN
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) March 17, 2025
Now, for the sake of a few votes, the same Saamna is being used to weaponize similar rhetoric against Hindus.
Sanjay Raut even went on record calling those demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb ‘Hindu Taliban.’ The publication is echoing the language of the Congress and the Left. This is not just a betrayal of its readership – it is a betrayal of Balasaheb Thackeray’s vision.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Factor and the Tomb Debate
The timing of Saamna’s attack on Hindus is no coincidence. The film Chhava, based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has touched the hearts of many Sleeping Sanatanis. It has reignited discussions about Maharashtra’s true history – one that mainstream narratives have long ignored. Sambhaji Maharaj was brutally tortured and executed by Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam.
Shivaji Maharaj’s relentless struggle against Mughal tyranny and Samabhji Maharaj’s war are a source of pride for Hindus.
Thus, the newly awakened Hindus of Bharat decry the presence of Aurangzeb’s tomb on the soil of Maharashtra. They want to ensure that the legacy of a cruel Mughal ruler is erased from the pages of history! Moreover, many Hindus question why India, which has removed colonial symbols like British-era street names, still preserves the tomb of Aurangzeb. The man imposed jizya and forced conversion on Hindus. He was a fanatic who was responsible for the destruction of thousands of Hindu temples.
BIG BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Bajrang Dal said they will launch Karseva with millions of Hindus to remove Aurangzeb's tomb.
They said "Tomb of Hindu-hater, cruel oppressor and villain from Sambhajinagar should not be there in Maharashtra"
Bajrang Dal : "State Govt is requested to… pic.twitter.com/TtqZyOmfdS
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) March 16, 2025
Hence, Hindus across Bharat are calling for the tomb’s removal.
Instead of acknowledging this pain, Saamna has chosen to vilify those who raise these questions.
The once pro-Hindu editorial now claims that Aurangzeb’s tomb is a symbol of Maratha’s resilience. But it conveniently ignores the fact that Marathas didn’t preserve Aurangzeb’s tomb as a mark of resilience – they let it remain because they had already defeated the Mughals. However, the honor given to Aurangzeb’s tomb by “peacefuls” allows the tomb to be the symbol of the oppression of Hindus.
The Final Straw: Hindus Must See the Betrayal
The de-saffronized Saamna now attacks Hindus in its columns. This should serve as the final wake-up call for Sanatnis to unmask SS-UBT. Uddhav Thackeray’s desperation for power has led him to abandon all core values of his father. The party has gone from opposing ‘Hindu terror’ propaganda to now using the term ‘Hindu Taliban’ against its own people.
Hindus must ask themselves: If even Saamna is calling them Taliban, then what is left of its Saffron ideology?
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, "…It (Auranzeb's tomb) is a symbol of VALOR (Shaurya,) and a symbol of valor should never be broken…just like Afzal Khan…. its our Official Stance
What have they done to BalaSaheb's Legacy? pic.twitter.com/sNn6eUSY2m
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) March 17, 2025
What remains of Balasaheb in Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena – UBT? And how much more will Uddhav Thackeray sacrifice to appease his new political friends? One thing is clear—Shiv Sena UBT is no longer the party that walks the path of Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva. It is now just another Congress ally, willing to slander Hindus for votes. The Saamna of today is not the Saamna of yesterday. Its saffron has faded, and with it, probably its soul.