Amit Thackeray upset over children begging as gods during Ganeshotsav, urges people to stop it
MNS leader Amit Thackeray appealed to Maharashtra residents to stop children being painted as deities and made to beg during Ganeshotsav
As Ganeshotsav celebrations continue across the state, MNS youth leader Amit Thackeray has expressed anger over the exploitation of some young children during the festival. Posting on his Twitter account, Thackeray said the matter was extremely serious and needed to be stopped.
In his post, Thackeray wrote that while Ganeshotsav is underway and there is an atmosphere of joy all around, something troubling is being seen on the streets. Small children are being made to stand as gods or great men after having silver or chemical paint applied to their bodies, and are then made to beg. He called this very disturbing.
In the post made from his Twitter handle (@amitrthackeray) on September 21, 2026, Thackeray appealed to soldiers and citizens of Maharashtra to stop this practice wherever they see it happening. He said that if any child's family needs help, he would personally help them and stand by them.
Thackeray said some parents and relatives are dressing small children in silver and chemical paint as gods, goddesses or great men during Ganeshotsav and making them beg. He said this kind of exploitation of children must not be allowed to continue and that this must change. He appealed for it to be stopped immediately wherever it is seen.
The post also stated what to do in such cases. A complaint against exploitation of children or children being made to beg can be filed immediately by calling the 1098 helpline, and information about the incident and its location can be given to the nearest police station. Complaints can also be made to the local police on 100 and 112. A complaint can also be filed with the Child Welfare Committee, or local organisations and activists working for children's rights can be contacted and called to the spot for help.
