Shiv Sena Party and Symbol Dispute Reaches Crucial Stage; Supreme Court to Hear Final Arguments on Balasaheb Thackeray Jayanti

New Delhi/Mumbai:

The long-running legal battle over the Shiv Sena party name and its iconic ‘bow and arrow’ symbol has entered a decisive phase, with the Supreme Court scheduling final arguments for January 23, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

The matter, which has remained at the centre of Maharashtra’s political turbulence for nearly two-and-a-half years, will be heard by a Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The hearing, originally listed for January 21, could not take place due to time constraints arising from another case and was consequently deferred.

The upcoming hearing has drawn nationwide attention, as it is seen not merely as a legal dispute but as a decisive moment for the political identity, legacy, and future course of the Shiv Sena.

A Battle Beyond Law

The dispute goes far beyond ownership of a party symbol. At stake is the ideological legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray and the question of who represents the “real Shiv Sena.” The verdict is expected to have far-reaching implications for Maharashtra’s political equations, alliances, and future elections.

The Supreme Court had earlier observed in November 2025 that the matter had been pending for an unusually long period, underscoring the urgency of a final resolution.

Roots of the Crisis: June 2022 Political Upheaval

The controversy traces back to June 2022, when Eknath Shinde, along with more than 40 Shiv Sena MLAs, revolted against party leadership and aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This rebellion led to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government and dramatically reshaped Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Shinde’s faction argued that the alliance with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party had diluted Shiv Sena’s core ideology, prompting the split. However, the rebellion raised fundamental questions about party authority, leadership legitimacy, and symbol ownership.

Election Commission’s Decision

In February 2023, the Election Commission of India recognised the Eknath Shinde faction as the ‘real Shiv Sena’ and allotted it the traditional ‘bow and arrow’ symbol, largely on the basis of numerical strength in the legislature.

Following this decision, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena contested the 2024 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections under the party’s original name and symbol, dealing a major political blow to the Uddhav Thackeray faction.

Uddhav Thackeray’s Challenge in Supreme Court

Challenging the Election Commission’s ruling, Uddhav Thackeray approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the Commission erred by relying solely on legislative majority while issues related to the disqualification of rebel MLAs were still pending.

The Thackeray faction contended that it retained control over the party’s organisational structure and internal leadership, and that the Commission ignored this crucial aspect while delivering its verdict.

The Supreme Court, however, earlier declined to stay the Election Commission’s order, allowing the Shinde faction to continue using the Shiv Sena name and symbol. Consequently, the Thackeray-led faction was compelled to operate under the name Shiv Sena (UBT) with the ‘torch’ symbol.

A Fight for Legacy and Identity

Political observers note that this case is not just about electoral symbols but about Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideological inheritance. For Eknath Shinde, retaining the bow and arrow symbol represents legal and moral validation of his political breakaway. For Uddhav Thackeray, reclaiming it is essential to restoring Shiv Sena’s original identity, emotional connect, and credibility among its core supporters.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear final arguments on January 23, the verdict is expected to mark a turning point in Maharashtra politics—potentially redefining party legitimacy, voter perception, and the balance of power in the state.