Political Tensions Rise Over Chhath Puja Celebrations in Mumbai

Mumbai, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : Political tensions are escalating in Mumbai as the significant festival of Chhath Puja approaches. Naseem Siddiqui, a leader and spokesperson for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), responded to comments made by Raj Thackeray, the head of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), emphasizing the importance of allowing everyone to celebrate their festivals according to their beliefs.

Speaking to reporters, Siddiqui stressed that no religious festival should face opposition. Chhath Puja holds great importance in North India, and he urged all political parties and the government to support the celebration. He characterized the MNS not as a political party but as a group focused on youth, claiming its politics often resorts to violence.

In response to Thackeray’s social media posts, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi remarked that the matter is religious in nature. He noted that while people should celebrate according to their faith, efforts should be made to minimize pollution during these festivities.

Regarding the ban on Bhojpuri songs at railway stations, Azmi stated that such regional biases should not exist. He highlighted that music serves as entertainment and should be embraced.

MNS leader Dinesh Punde defended the party’s actions, stating that when their members learned about the Bhojpuri songs being played, they promptly informed local authorities to halt the music. He expressed that while they do not oppose the celebration of Chhath Puja, environmental considerations must be taken into account, as even flowers or lamps thrown into water could cause damage.

Sanjay Nirupam, a spokesperson for the Shiv Sena, remarked on the historical significance of Juhu Beach in hosting Chhath Puja for over 30 years. He criticized the recurring political statements that seem aimed at hurting the sentiments of worshippers. Nirupam urged his colleagues to engage in political discourse on various issues but not at the expense of people’s religious practices.

On the other hand, Raj Thackeray took to social media to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to create conflict in Mumbai by leveraging the Chhath Puja issue. He claimed that the BJP, desperate for confrontation, has attempted to spread provocative content online and even tried to play Bhojpuri music at railway stations, which the MNS swiftly stopped. Thackeray suggested that this chaos is being orchestrated with the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh in mind.