TNN

Mumbai, Jun 20: For years, the Shiv Sena has earned notoriety for spreading hatred against Muslims, but on Thursday when its chief Bal Thackeray was gasping for breath, two Muslims doctors from Lilavati Hospital-Dr Jaleel Parkar and Dr Samad Ansari-rushed to his house. The duo administered him medical help at Matoshri and then brought him to the hospital's ICU in an ambulance.

Ever since Thackeray's health started failing, he is under constant medical supervision. Dr Parkar said, "I examine him daily and sometimes I make two visits to Matoshri. On Thursday, I had examined him in the afternoon along with Dr Prakash Jiandani and he was absolutely fine. At around 8.30 pm, I had called and I was told that he was sitting with some guests.

But at 9.30 pm, they called us to say that he had a breathing problem after which Dr Samad Ansari and myself rushed to Bandra (E) and saw him. His BP had shot up and his heart rate had increased. The oxygen levels were also low.

We gave him a few injections and also put him on oxygen which was stocked in the bungalow.'' Around the same time, Dr Anil Ramnani was sent from the hospital in an ambulance. Thackeray Sr was then wheeled into the hospital. Soon, his son Uddhav and daughter-in-law Rashmi also came. Other family members also rushed to the hospital, but his estranged nephew Raj Thackeray stayed away.