attempting to incite tensions in Mumbai by exploiting the issue of Chhath Puja.Speaking to news agency ANI, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said people in Maharashtra, including the "Marathi Manus", had rejected such political posturing and no longer entertained rhetoric aimed at undermining cultural celebrations."It is precisely this kind of behaviour that is leading them toward their own downfall.
Who even pays any heed to these people in Maharashtra today?
No Marathi Manus is willing to give them any standing, all because of these very actions," the BJP MP said."On the other hand, there is immense support for Chhath; in fact, leader Devendra Fadnavis is a great devotee of the festival and is making all the necessary arrangements for those observing the Chhath fast," he added.This comes after Thackeray on Thursday accused the BJP of attempting to create social and cultural tensions in Mumbai by using Chhath Puja as an issue and urged the public not to fall into its trap.He also alleged that the party was trying to provoke a conflict between Marathi and North Indian communities ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
In a post on X, Thackeray alleged that the BJP and the social media ecosystem it had nurtured were making every possible effort to create discord in Maharashtra by circulating reels related to Chhath Puja and what he described as "cultural aggression" in its name.Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines "However, the BJP appears to be disappointed that all these efforts have still not managed to create the kind of conflict it expects.
And all this exercise is being undertaken with the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections in mind," he said."Whenever Lok Sabha elections approach, it tries to ignite Hindu-Muslim tensions.
It brings Muslim women wearing burqas into playgrounds and gardens and attempts to scare people by saying, 'Look, look, now they have reached our playgrounds and gardens.' Of course, several videos of people wearing burqas to create an atmosphere of terror among Hindu women and men are already visible on social media," he added.
