The event was attended by several prominent figures, including NCP (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar, veteran lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar, and other dignitaries. The occasion provided not only a literary platform but also a political one, as Uddhav Thackeray used the opportunity to reflect on the split in Shiv Sena and the loyalty of party workers.
In his address, Thackeray indirectly criticized those who left the party during its political crisis. “In life, many people walk with you — some remain, others are opportunists who flee the moment they get a chance. Today, I feel as though the Shiv Sena chief is watching over us, examining who stood by him and who took advantage of him,” he said.
Thackeray added, “There’s a saying: ‘Better to live one day like a tiger than a hundred days like a goat.’ Sanjay Raut is one such tiger. He has titled his book Heaven in Hell — and it reflects the spirit of a man who either finds or creates heaven in the most hellish conditions.”
Reflecting on the legacy of his father, the late Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav said, “What the Shiv Sena chief gave throughout his life was not just leadership, but a sense of confidence to the Marathi people and Hindus. Imagine what our condition in Mumbai and Maharashtra would have been today had he not empowered us.”
Taking a pointed jab at those who defected, Thackeray remarked, “Many have taken what he gave. But how many stood by him, and how many ran away? I am sure that from wherever he is watching us today, he must feel proud — and those who left may feel a tinge of jealousy seeing this gathering. Perhaps they now wish they had stayed.”
Heaven in Hell is a memoir-style political narrative by Sanjay Raut, chronicling his personal and political journey, especially during turbulent times including his time in jail, the party split, and the changing political landscape of Maharashtra. The book is expected to stir both literary and political discussions.