Bhojpuri songs at Mumbai stations for Chhath Puja spark row; Waris Pathan questions namaz at station

A political row has broken out over Bhojpuri songs being played at railway stations in Mumbai on the occasion of Chhath Puja. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has now entered the dispute, with party leader Waris Pathan issuing a statement on it.

Chhath Puja holds great significance in north India, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. It has emerged that Bhojpuri songs were played on loudspeakers from early morning at stations on Mumbai's Central, Western and Harbour lines. The songs were played at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Wadala, Nerul, Sanpada, Ambivli, Andheri and other stations, after which the political controversy began.

The MNS and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena expressed strong displeasure over the railway's action. They asked railway officials why Marathi songs were never played at stations on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti or during Ganeshotsav, and why this decision had been taken only for Chhath Puja. They demanded that the songs be stopped immediately. The parties said this "cultural bullying" would not be tolerated.

The railway administration has claimed that the songs are not played during essential announcements and are played only in free intervals. Even so, there is resentment among Mumbaikars over what the parties call cultural bullying.

Pathan expressed displeasure over Chhath Puja songs being played at railway stations. He said Chhath Puja is a major festival of Hindu brothers and should be celebrated with enthusiasm. According to him, everyone has the right to celebrate their festivals.

He also asked what would happen if namaz were offered at a railway station. Pathan said the Constitution guarantees equal rights and that rules and laws should be the same for everyone. He said that if he went to a railway station and offered namaz, there would be a huge uproar.