Bhojpuri songs at Wadala station before Chhath draw Sena (UBT) complaint; MNS objects in Badlapur

Commuters and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have complained about Bhojpuri songs being played at Wadala railway station in Mumbai ahead of Chhath Puja. The railway administration has said special trains have been arranged for Chhath Puja. It also said the Railway Board had issued an advisory on the songs.

Bhojpuri songs were played loudly at Wadala station, which led to a controversy. Sena (UBT) corporator Madhuri Manjrekar alleged that local commuters and residents were being inconvenienced. She has strongly objected and demanded that the railway administration take immediate note of the matter and act against those responsible.

Manjrekar also met the Wadala station master. Chhath Puja falls next Sunday. Ahead of it, the songs were heard being played intermittently at some other stations in Mumbai, including Central Railway's CSMT. There had been complaints that the loud volume troubled commuters. After a complaint reached Manjrekar, she asked the station master about it.

Manjrekar warned: "Mumbai's railway stations are for the convenience of ordinary commuters. Harassing commuters by playing songs this loudly in a public place will not be tolerated. The railway administration should stop all this immediately, or we will have to launch a sharp agitation."

According to the railway administration, songs are being played ahead of the coming Chhath Puja at stations from which special trains are being run, such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus. The administration said the Railway Board had issued an advisory to this effect.

In Badlapur, too, the political atmosphere has heated up over Chhath Puja. The MNS has opposed the Chhath Puja planned on the Ulhas river. The administration is already preparing for the puja on the riverbank. The MNS asked why immersion of Ganpati idols in the river is restricted while a red carpet is being rolled out for Chhath Puja. The party turned aggressive in Badlapur over the issue.

The MNS said party chief Raj Thackeray's stand has been against Chhath Puja from the beginning and remains so today. The party said the Ulhas river is already hit by water pollution, so Chhath Puja offerings will not be allowed to be dumped in it. The MNS demanded that the administration make arrangements by building artificial ponds.

The MNS also said its opposition is not to Chhath Puja itself but to the show of strength by people from other states through it. According to the party, the arrogance of people from other states is growing by the day. The MNS asked why the administration restricts Marathi festivals on the riverbank but permits Chhath Puja, calling it a double standard.