Kishori Pednekar slams Railways, state over Bhojpuri songs at Mumbai stations during Chhath

A new controversy has erupted over Bhojpuri songs being played at railway stations in Mumbai on the occasion of Chhath Puja. Kishori Pednekar, a leader of the Thackeray faction and former mayor of Mumbai, took the railway administration and the state government to task. She asked directly whether Maharashtrian songs would be played at railway stations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The issue of the Marathi language and local culture has returned to the debate.

Pednekar alleged that Bhojpuri songs are being played loudly at Mumbai's railway stations. She also asked what kind of functioning it was if songs were being played while essential railway announcements and timetable information for passengers were set aside.

"We have no objection to songs. But the local language and culture of a place must be respected," she said. She alleged that even after Marathi was granted classical language status, it is being treated as second-class in Maharashtra.

On Chhath Puja, Pednekar said the worship is performed near water and that she respects the devotees' faith. She demanded that, just as artificial ponds are built for Ganeshotsav, artificial ponds also be built for Chhath Puja in the relevant localities. She also made clear that no religious event should disrupt Mumbai's everyday life.

Pednekar said the issue was not only about Bhojpuri songs, and that the entire functioning of the railway administration was under question. She expressed anger over incidents caused by suspended rail services, passengers not being informed in advance and inadequate security.

She also raised the issue that Marathi cultural events are not getting grounds. She asked what would happen to the rights of Marathi people if events such as the Konkani Jatra were not given space.

She also targeted the Home Department over the incident of a young woman being molested at Naigaon railway station. She demanded concrete action, not just promises, on women's safety. The row, which began with Bhojpuri songs, has now extended to Marathi identity, the railway administration and the functioning of the state government.