Chhath songs at stations spark cultural row in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The Railway's decision to broadcast Bhojpuri Chhath Puja songs at several Mumbai stations has triggered a political row, with both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) opposing the move. The opposition comes amid wider friction over the festival in the state, including the community from Bihar seeking permission to hold Chhath rituals at the state's water bodies and the MNS objecting to it.

For the last couple of days devotional songs of Chhath Puja in Bhojpuri language began playing over public announcement systems at major stations in the Central Railways and Harbour line railway stations like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Wadala and other stations. A few irate Marathi speaking commuters questioned station officials who claimed that they were playing the songs on the instructions of the Railway Board.

"The Railways does not play the Jaya Jaya Maharashtra Mazha (official state song), it does not play the Ae mere watan ke logo or the Jhanda Uncha rahe hamara. However they are playing these songs. A stand has to be taken against it. Under which rule are they (Railways) playing it. We are not against any region or against any language. You can celebrate your festivals but do not encroach on Maharashtra's culture."said UBT Sena MP Sanjay Raut.