Raj Thackeray Sees BJP Plot Behind Chhath Row

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engineering a ‘Marathi versus North Indian’ conflict in Mumbai for political gains ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Referring to the playing of Bhojpuri songs at several Mumbai railway stations, Thackeray alleged that the BJP and its social media network were circulating content portraying Chhath Puja celebrations as cultural aggression to provoke conflict in Maharashtra.

“However, the BJP appears to be disappointed that all these efforts have still not managed to create the kind of conflict it expects. And all this exercise is being undertaken with the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections in mind,” he wrote on X.

His remarks came amid a controversy over Bhojpuri songs dedicated to Chhath Puja being played through announcement systems at several Central and Western Railway stations in Mumbai.

The MNS chief accused the BJP of relying on religious, regional and caste-based divisions to secure electoral victories, claiming that its traditional political strategy was no longer effective.

“Whenever Lok Sabha elections approach, it tries to ignite Hindu-Muslim tensions. It brings Muslim women wearing burqas into playgrounds and gardens and attempts to scare people by saying, ‘Look, look, now they have reached our playgrounds and gardens.’ Of course, several videos of people wearing burqas to create an atmosphere of terror among Hindu women and men are already visible on social media,” he claimed.

Thackeray also urged Marathi citizens not to fall into what he described as a political trap, while advising North Indians and members of the Gujarati community not to support moves that pit them against the local Marathi population.

“The people of Uttar Pradesh and the Gujarati community must also understand that these people are merely pitting you against us to serve their own interests! And if you join hands with them and come against us, do not forget that this is Maharashtra! This is the land of the Marathas!” he said.

Following his statements, MNS leaders wrote to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), demanding restrictions or a ban on Chhath Puja celebrations at popular coastal locations such as Juhu, Versova, Madh Island and Gorai beach, citing environmental and pollution concerns.

However, ruling Shiv Sena leaders have defended the playing of Chhath Puja songs at Mumbai railway stations.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam said Chhath songs were traditional devotional compositions sung in Bhojpuri, Maithili and Magahi for thousands of years. He also pointed out that Indian Railways plays Chhath songs at thousands of stations across the country.

Maharashtra minister Uday Samant also dismissed the controversy, noting that Chhath Puja is an annual tradition in the state and not a new occurrence.