Chhath Festivities Take A Political Turn In Mumbai

A political-lingual controversy over the celebration of the Chhath Pooja has erupted in Mumbai, hinting at its impact on the Uttar Pradesh assembly election to be held early next year. The main date for this year’s Chhath is Sunday, 15 November, which is the Sandhya Arghya, the evening offering. The verbal clash is intensified as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has accused the ruling BJP of deliberately instigating the controversy in view of the UP polls. The atmosphere was already tense in the metropolis over the playing of Bhojpuri songs at Wadala railway station in central Mumbai. The Shiv Sena (UBT) lodged a complaint with railway authorities and warned of protests if the practice continued. Several individuals and organisations have jumped into the battle of words. Some parties have demanded that the festival be organised in artificial ponds to prevent pollution at beaches and riverbanks. The Mumbai High Court had earlier refused permission to hold the Chhath celebrations at Girgaon chowpatty in south Mumbai. However, a large congregation is on the cards at Juhu chowpatty in the western suburbs. The traffic police department has already announced certain restrictions for Sunday, that being the principal day of the festival. The BJP and the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), meanwhile, have accused Opposition parties of attempting to create a Marathi versus non-Marathi divide for political gains. They have pointed out that people belonging to different castes, religions and regions have been living together in Maharashtra. The authorities are on the alert, awaiting the state government’s decision.