Bhojpuri songs played at Mumbai stations on Chhath spark political row; Railways explains

Bhojpuri songs were played at some railway stations in Mumbai yesterday on the occasion of Chhath Puja, and the political temperature rose today. The songs were played at Wadala and at some stations on the Harbour line. The same happened at Ambivli railway station. Questions are now being asked whether Maharashtra has been turned into Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The Railways has offered an explanation. It said that over the 3-4 days of Chhath Puja, the number of passengers travelling from Maharashtra to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh via Mumbai is around 50,000 to 60,000 a day. For this reason, such cultural songs are being played between announcements. The information was given by Swapnil Nila, public relations officer of Central Railway. After this explanation, a fresh controversy over Bhojpuri versus Marathi songs at the stations has arisen.

Kishori Pednekar, Leader of the Opposition in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and a leader of the Uddhav Thackeray faction, directly targeted the Chief Minister. She said, "UP and Bihar have improved. Children have started studying. Rioters have begun to change. The chief minister there is doing good work. The chief minister here has started doing UP-Bihar. If the Constitution is to be changed, this is it." Pednekar also said that everyone gets permission from the Centre today, and asked who would give permission other than the Centre, meaning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the Railway Minister.

Govardhan Deshmukh, president of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, also launched an attack. He said, "Do not turn Maharashtra into Bihar, do not test the patience of the Marathi manus."

Deshmukh also said, "Permission should not be granted so that all the chowpatties and ponds of the city are not polluted. Stop the trouble to local citizens at public tourist spots. This festival of Bihar should be celebrated at a private place. The Environment Minister should take note. Is the Railways in its senses, playing Bhojpuri songs at Mumbai's railway stations?"