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BJP's 'double-edged' opposition to Shiv Sena Dussehra gathering; ignoring RSS's program
Mumbai: In the political climate of Maharashtra, Dussehra has become not just a religious festival, but also a ground for political struggle. While Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) has decided to organize a Dussehra gathering at Shivaji Park Maidan this year as well, BJP has expressed strong opposition to it. However, BJP has remained completely silent on Dussehra programs of organizations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). Raising the issue of this 'double-edged' attitude, Shiv Sena has accused BJP of playing 'political games in the name of Hindutva'. On the other hand, Congress has also supported this opposition and criticized BJP's 'up and down' policy. This controversy has further increased the political temperature in Maharashtra, and election politics has also started gaining momentum against the backdrop of Dussehra festival.
Historical background and beginning of the controversy
Shivaji Park Maidan is considered the political 'command center' of Shiv Sena in Mumbai. This Dussehra gathering, which started under the leadership of Balasaheb Thackeray since 1966, is still a symbol of the organizational power of Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray announced to organize this gathering on October 12 this year. However, the BJP immediately started demanding that permission be denied for this venue. BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "Shivaji Park is for the common citizens, not for any single party. Dussehra is a public festival and it is wrong to use the ground for it." Fadnavis' statement gave a new twist to the controversy.
This opposition from the BJP is not new. In 2022, after the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray government, there was no opposition when the Eknath Shinde group (which is now an ally of the BJP) organized a gathering at Shivaji Park. However, obstacles are being continuously created for the Thackeray group's gathering. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut criticized this and said, "BJP does not want Shiv Sena's rally, but their organizations' programs are going on. This is not the politics of Hindutva, but personal hatred." Raut's statement has also created a storm on social media, and the hashtag #SaveShivajiPark has started trending.
Opposition to BJP and silence on RSS: Accusation of duplicity
BJP's opposition was not limited to words. The party has filed a complaint with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), requesting that permission be denied for the maintenance of the ground. BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said, "Shiv Sena has damaged the ground in the last few years. Dussehra gatherings increase traffic congestion and pollution. We think about the environment and the convenience of citizens." However, the same BJP does not say anything about the Dussehra gathering of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). RSS organizes Dussehra programs in Mumbai and across the state every year, in which weapon worship and battlefield scenes are shown. This year too, RSS programmes are going to be held in Lalbagh, Dadar and other areas, but there is not a word from the BJP about it.
Similarly, the BJP has no objection to the programmes of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). HJS has announced programmes like 'Shastrasadhana to prevent bloodshed' for the Dussehra festival, in which the youth are taught how to use weapons. Shiv Sena has accused the BJP of being 'double-minded' over this. Sanjay Raut said, "BJP does not want Uddhav Thackeray's rally, but the programmes of his organisations are going on. This politics is not of Hindutva, but of power." Congress leader Nana Patole also confirmed this and said, "BJP's Hindutva is only for elections. They allow their own organisations and stop others. This is anti-democratic."
This controversy has also raised questions about the role of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). BMC is under the control of the BJP and there is doubt whether it will allow the Shiv Sena rally or not. Last year too, the BMC had created temporary obstacles, which led the Shiv Sena to move the court. Political analysts say that a similar situation is likely to happen this year too.
Political implications and future picture
This dispute is not limited to the Dussehra gathering alone, but it is a reflection of the power struggle in Maharashtra. After the 2024 assembly elections, the Mahayuti (BJP-Shinde Shiv Sena-NCP) government is in power, but the Thackeray group and the Mahavikas Aghadi (Congress-Sharad Pawar NCP) are active in the opposition. The Dussehra gathering is a platform for the Thackeray group to bring together workers and deliver a political message. Uddhav Thackeray had given a message in last year's gathering that 'Hindutva is in danger due to the lust for power', which had shocked the BJP.
Political analyst Prof. Sudhir Padvikar said, "This opposition by the BJP is an attempt to weaken the Thackeray group. However, it may backfire and increase dissatisfaction among Shiv Sena workers. Silence on RSS shows BJP's attempts to strengthen organizational ties." On the other hand, the Shinde group has also remained silent on this and is looking for a different ground for its Dussehra program. Eknath Shinde said, "We are Shiv Sena, but we will celebrate the festival by avoiding political hatred."
Mumbai: In the political climate of Maharashtra, Dussehra has become not just a religious festival, but also a ground for political struggle. While Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) has decided to organize a Dussehra gathering at Shivaji Park Maidan this year as well, BJP has expressed strong opposition to it. However, BJP has remained completely silent on Dussehra programs of organizations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). Raising the issue of this 'double-edged' attitude, Shiv Sena has accused BJP of playing 'political games in the name of Hindutva'. On the other hand, Congress has also supported this opposition and criticized BJP's 'up and down' policy. This controversy has further increased the political temperature in Maharashtra, and election politics has also started gaining momentum against the backdrop of Dussehra festival.
Historical background and beginning of the controversy
Shivaji Park Maidan is considered the political 'command center' of Shiv Sena in Mumbai. This Dussehra gathering, which started under the leadership of Balasaheb Thackeray since 1966, is still a symbol of the organizational power of Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray announced to organize this gathering on October 12 this year. However, the BJP immediately started demanding that permission be denied for this venue. BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "Shivaji Park is for the common citizens, not for any single party. Dussehra is a public festival and it is wrong to use the ground for it." Fadnavis' statement gave a new twist to the controversy.
This opposition from the BJP is not new. In 2022, after the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray government, there was no opposition when the Eknath Shinde group (which is now an ally of the BJP) organized a gathering at Shivaji Park. However, obstacles are being continuously created for the Thackeray group's gathering. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut criticized this and said, "BJP does not want Shiv Sena's rally, but their organizations' programs are going on. This is not the politics of Hindutva, but personal hatred." Raut's statement has also created a storm on social media, and the hashtag #SaveShivajiPark has started trending.
Opposition to BJP and silence on RSS: Accusation of duplicity
BJP's opposition was not limited to words. The party has filed a complaint with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), requesting that permission be denied for the maintenance of the ground. BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said, "Shiv Sena has damaged the ground in the last few years. Dussehra gatherings increase traffic congestion and pollution. We think about the environment and the convenience of citizens." However, the same BJP does not say anything about the Dussehra gathering of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). RSS organizes Dussehra programs in Mumbai and across the state every year, in which weapon worship and battlefield scenes are shown. This year too, RSS programmes are going to be held in Lalbagh, Dadar and other areas, but there is not a word from the BJP about it.
Similarly, the BJP has no objection to the programmes of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). HJS has announced programmes like 'Shastrasadhana to prevent bloodshed' for the Dussehra festival, in which the youth are taught how to use weapons. Shiv Sena has accused the BJP of being 'double-minded' over this. Sanjay Raut said, "BJP does not want Uddhav Thackeray's rally, but the programmes of his organisations are going on. This politics is not of Hindutva, but of power." Congress leader Nana Patole also confirmed this and said, "BJP's Hindutva is only for elections. They allow their own organisations and stop others. This is anti-democratic."
This controversy has also raised questions about the role of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). BMC is under the control of the BJP and there is doubt whether it will allow the Shiv Sena rally or not. Last year too, the BMC had created temporary obstacles, which led the Shiv Sena to move the court. Political analysts say that a similar situation is likely to happen this year too.
Political implications and future picture
This dispute is not limited to the Dussehra gathering alone, but it is a reflection of the power struggle in Maharashtra. After the 2024 assembly elections, the Mahayuti (BJP-Shinde Shiv Sena-NCP) government is in power, but the Thackeray group and the Mahavikas Aghadi (Congress-Sharad Pawar NCP) are active in the opposition. The Dussehra gathering is a platform for the Thackeray group to bring together workers and deliver a political message. Uddhav Thackeray had given a message in last year's gathering that 'Hindutva is in danger due to the lust for power', which had shocked the BJP.
Political analyst Prof. Sudhir Padvikar said, "This opposition by the BJP is an attempt to weaken the Thackeray group. However, it may backfire and increase dissatisfaction among Shiv Sena workers. Silence on RSS shows BJP's attempts to strengthen organizational ties." On the other hand, the Shinde group has also remained silent on this and is looking for a different ground for its Dussehra program. Eknath Shinde said, "We are Shiv Sena, but we will celebrate the festival by avoiding political hatred."
Historical background and beginning of the controversy
Shivaji Park Maidan is considered the political 'command center' of Shiv Sena in Mumbai. This Dussehra gathering, which started under the leadership of Balasaheb Thackeray since 1966, is still a symbol of the organizational power of Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray announced to organize this gathering on October 12 this year. However, the BJP immediately started demanding that permission be denied for this venue. BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "Shivaji Park is for the common citizens, not for any single party. Dussehra is a public festival and it is wrong to use the ground for it." Fadnavis' statement gave a new twist to the controversy.
This opposition from the BJP is not new. In 2022, after the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray government, there was no opposition when the Eknath Shinde group (which is now an ally of the BJP) organized a gathering at Shivaji Park. However, obstacles are being continuously created for the Thackeray group's gathering. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut criticized this and said, "BJP does not want Shiv Sena's rally, but their organizations' programs are going on. This is not the politics of Hindutva, but personal hatred." Raut's statement has also created a storm on social media, and the hashtag #SaveShivajiPark has started trending.
Opposition to BJP and silence on RSS: Accusation of duplicity
BJP's opposition was not limited to words. The party has filed a complaint with the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), requesting that permission be denied for the maintenance of the ground. BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said, "Shiv Sena has damaged the ground in the last few years. Dussehra gatherings increase traffic congestion and pollution. We think about the environment and the convenience of citizens." However, the same BJP does not say anything about the Dussehra gathering of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). RSS organizes Dussehra programs in Mumbai and across the state every year, in which weapon worship and battlefield scenes are shown. This year too, RSS programmes are going to be held in Lalbagh, Dadar and other areas, but there is not a word from the BJP about it.
Similarly, the BJP has no objection to the programmes of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). HJS has announced programmes like 'Shastrasadhana to prevent bloodshed' for the Dussehra festival, in which the youth are taught how to use weapons. Shiv Sena has accused the BJP of being 'double-minded' over this. Sanjay Raut said, "BJP does not want Uddhav Thackeray's rally, but the programmes of his organisations are going on. This politics is not of Hindutva, but of power." Congress leader Nana Patole also confirmed this and said, "BJP's Hindutva is only for elections. They allow their own organisations and stop others. This is anti-democratic."
This controversy has also raised questions about the role of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). BMC is under the control of the BJP and there is doubt whether it will allow the Shiv Sena rally or not. Last year too, the BMC had created temporary obstacles, which led the Shiv Sena to move the court. Political analysts say that a similar situation is likely to happen this year too.
Political implications and future picture
This dispute is not limited to the Dussehra gathering alone, but it is a reflection of the power struggle in Maharashtra. After the 2024 assembly elections, the Mahayuti (BJP-Shinde Shiv Sena-NCP) government is in power, but the Thackeray group and the Mahavikas Aghadi (Congress-Sharad Pawar NCP) are active in the opposition. The Dussehra gathering is a platform for the Thackeray group to bring together workers and deliver a political message. Uddhav Thackeray had given a message in last year's gathering that 'Hindutva is in danger due to the lust for power', which had shocked the BJP.
Political analyst Prof. Sudhir Padvikar said, "This opposition by the BJP is an attempt to weaken the Thackeray group. However, it may backfire and increase dissatisfaction among Shiv Sena workers. Silence on RSS shows BJP's attempts to strengthen organizational ties." On the other hand, the Shinde group has also remained silent on this and is looking for a different ground for its Dussehra program. Eknath Shinde said, "We are Shiv Sena, but we will celebrate the festival by avoiding political hatred."
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