Mumbai, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : Mumbai’s Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi spoke to reporters on Wednesday, discussing various topics, including the ongoing conversation around Garba celebrations. He emphasized that Garba has been a tradition in India for many years, involving participants from diverse communities. Ghadi stated that it is misguided to focus on the caste or community of individuals attending Garba events.
He firmly rejected the notion that members of the Muslim community should be excluded from Garba. “They have been participating for years,” he noted, adding that claims suggesting Muslims cannot join Garba are entirely false. According to him, no one has ever barred the Muslim community from participating, and the issue should not be framed in a Hindu-Muslim context.
Gadhi also addressed the controversy surrounding the national song, “Vande Mataram.” He expressed confusion over why some people have issues with it. “If there is a law mandating that everyone should sing Vande Mataram, why should Congress object?” he questioned. He believes that the national anthem should be sung across the country, and there should be no objections from any political leaders regarding this.
On the topic of the Marathi language, Ghadi commented on the film industry, noting that many artists have lived in Mumbai for years and speak Marathi well. He referenced actor Sanjay Dutt’s recent remarks about not learning Marathi during his six years in prison, suggesting that he should have taken the opportunity to learn. Ghadi emphasized that all residents in Maharashtra should learn Marathi, and he called for efforts to teach the language to those who do not know it.
Furthermore, he discussed the political landscape in Maharashtra, highlighting the collaboration among Shiv Sena, BJP, and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) for upcoming elections. He mentioned that decisions about alliances with the BJP in other states will be made soon, particularly regarding the upcoming elections in Goa.
Lastly, Ghadi addressed the Gen Z movement, asserting that the younger generation will remain aligned with their values and not side with the opposition. “We are confident in their support,” he concluded.
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