A Thackeray rally revives an old slogan, triggers fresh BJP backlash, and drags clothing, sweets, and identity politics into the January 15 BMC election cauldron
(From left) Raj and Uddhav Thackeray at the joint rally, where the former revived the controversial slogan ‘Hatao Lungi, Bajao Pungi’, sparking a fresh political row ahead of the BMC elections. Pic/Rane Ashish
On the surface, there seems to be little in common with a garment called the lungi and a sweet known as Rasmalai and yet, both have been referenced together in a sizzling controversy pre-BMC polls.
On Sunday, when the cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray came together for a pre-municipal polls rally in Dadar, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray mocked BJP Tamil Nadu leader K Annamalai as ‘Rasmalai’ in his speech and invoked the slogan of years ago, synonymous with late uncle Bal Thackeray, ‘Hatao Lungi, Bajao Pungi’. Raj Thackeray was responding to Annamalai’s reported references to Mumbai as a global or international city.
Simmering now
The controversy has erupted and is simmering now, with sharp reactions all across. Chief Spokesperson, BJP Mumbai, Niranjan Shetty said in response, “The lungi is the attire of the working-class people of India. These are the very people who will teach a lesson to the Thackeray cousins.”
Niranjan Shetty, chief spokesperson, BJP Mumbai. Pic/By SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
‘Pick up the lungi, play the pipe’ is the English translation of the lungi-pungi slogan. Shetty slammed, “The Thackeray brothers have insulted working-class people. For hundreds of years, people in India commonly wore the dhoti. The lungi was introduced to India through cultural exchange with Southeast Asia. Because the lungi is easy to wear and comfortable, it has become popular, especially in places with hot and humid weather. In Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, the lungi is known by different names such as Veshti, Mundu and Kaili, while in Punjab and Haryana it is known by various names such as Tamba, Tehmat, and Lach.”
Shetty added another dimension, stating the lungi is also international, going by other names. He said, “The lungi, also known as Sarong, is the principal attire in a vast region including Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Burma, Brunei, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Africa, and the southern Arabian Peninsula.”
Divisive, who?
Firing an arrow, Shetty said specifically to the Rasmalai barb, “People who rent out their party, shouldn’t even speak about Tamil Nadu leader Annamalai. Annamalai has created a storm for the BJP in Tamil Nadu, while here, the MNS is being rented out every day. One can certainly use allegations and score points in pre-poll debates, but this is crossing a line. Overall, the people of Mumbai will surely teach the Thackeray brothers a lesson.”
When pointed out specifically that the BJP cannot accuse anybody of creating divisions, as there are strong accusations against the BJP itself of being divisive, Shetty countered, “There is not a single example to prove that the BJP is divisive. We believe in ‘sab ka saath, sab ka vikaas’ nation first, party next, and self last.”
Times, climes
When it was pointed out that the lungi slogan had been used earlier in the political context, Shetty said, “That time when it was used has passed. We are living in a different era. The children of Marathi manoos have now grown up and are more educated. They are able to distinguish between mere talkers and leaders who work in the larger interest. By larger interest, I mean work for development and infrastructure. Mumbaikars are more relieved with the ease of travel by Metro, coasting through the Coastal Road or the Atal Setu. They are focused on elevators and escalators at railway stations, and are making constant efforts to improve affordable and comfortable commuting.” Shetty said as a sign off, “Raking up non-issues will boomerang. We will see who will be distributing Rasmalai post elections.”
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