The Maharashtra political crisis that began in June 2022 doesn't seem to be ending. The battle over who controls the real Shiv Sena is still on, but former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray faced a huge blow as the Election Commission allotted the name 'Shiv Sena' and its poll symbol 'bow and arrow' to the group led by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde.

In a unanimous order on the six-month-old petition filed by Shinde, the three-member Commission on Friday (February 17) allowed the Thackeray faction to retain the name Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the 'flaming torch' poll symbol, but the name of "Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena" and symbol of "Two swords and Shield", allotted to the Shinde faction in October last year, will now be frozen with immediate effect.

How Shiv Sena got the bow and arrow as party symbol

The Shiv Sena was founded in 1966 by Bal Thackeray. Thackeray, who was deeply influenced by Indian mythology and symbolism, chose the bow and arrow as the party's official symbol.

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord Rama is often depicted holding a bow and arrow. It was seen as a symbol of strength, courage, and the ability to defend oneself against enemies. Bal Thackeray saw the bow and arrow symbolizing Maharashtra's culture, heritage, and identity.

What it signifies

For the Shiv Sena, the bow and arrow also symbolize the party's commitment to protecting the interests and rights of the people of Maharashtra. The party sees itself as a defender of the Marathi language, culture, and way of life against those who seek to undermine or marginalize them.

In addition to its cultural and political significance, the bow and arrow symbol has become an iconic representation of the Shiv Sena and its values. The symbol is easily recognizable and is widely used on the party's posters, banners, and other campaign material. Over the years, the bow and arrow have become an integral part of Shiv Sena's brand and identity.

The fight to get the bow and arrow symbol

The Shiv Sena's bow and arrow symbol was granted to the party by the Election Commission of India in 1969, three years after its formation. However, the party had to face a lot of challenges in the the process of obtaining the symbol.

• In the party's early days, the Sena used different symbols in various elections, including the scales of justice and the lotus flower. In 1968, the party officially applied for the bow and arrow symbol, which was already being used by another political party called the Bharatiya Lok Dal.
• The Bharatiya Lok Dal objected to the Shiv Sena's application for the bow and arrow symbol, arguing that it was already in use by their party. The dispute went to the Election Commission of India, which conducted an inquiry into the matter.

• The inquiry concluded that the bow and arrow symbol had been used by various political parties in the past and that it was not exclusively associated with the Bharatiya Lok Dal. The Election Commission, therefore, granted the bow and arrow symbol to the Shiv Sena in 1969.
• Since then, the bow and arrow have become an integral part of Sena's brand and identity. The party has used the symbol in numerous state and national elections, and it has become an iconic representation of the party and its values.

'Got bow and arrow symbol due to blessings of Shivaji'

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Sunday (February 19) said his faction of the Shiv Sena received the 'bow and arrow' symbol due to the blessings of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

"We will leave no stone unturned for the 'Shivsrushti' project. Amit Shah is here today and many of you may not know that he is a staunch devotee of Shivaji Maharaj. He has done a huge study about the Maratha rulers and Shivaji Maharaj. He is also writing a book that will soon to be published...We received the bow and arrow symbol with the blessings of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Shinde said.

Split in Sena and Maharashtra political crisis

Though the state has been in political turmoil since 2019, the most recent crisis in Maharashtra started June 21, 2022, when Eknath Shinde, along with several other MLAs of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition moved to Surat in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed Gujarat, throwing the coalition into a crisis.

• Shinde led a revolt against Uddhav Thackeray because he disagreed with Thackeray's decision not to end the alliance with Maha Vikas Aaghadi, despite requests from two-thirds of elected Sena members. Shinde's faction succeeded in taking control of the party and forming a new government in Maharashtra with the support of the BJP.
• This split in the party lead to a fight over who controls the name Shiv Sena and the bow and arrow symbol. In 2022, The Election Commission allotted the 'two swords and shield' election symbol and 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (Balasaheb's Shiv Sena)' name to the Eknath Shinde-led faction. The Thackeray faction was given the name Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the 'flaming torch' poll symbol by the ECI.