Mumbai: CR faces backlash over Bhojpuri songs played at local stations ahead of Chhath Puja

A controversy has erupted over the playing of Bhojpuri songs at railway stations on Mumbairsquos suburban network ahead of Chhath Puja with railway passenger association members alleging that the move disregards Maharashtrarsquos Marathi linguistic and cultural identitypopcorn numberNov 11 descDay Bhau Beej was celebrated classDefaultRailway commuter activist Shailesh Raut said ldquoRailway officials are unnecessarily creating controversies through their own actions Instead if the administration focuses on passenger safety and amenities we would be proud to say that railway travel is a pleasant and safe experiencerdquoSentiments overlookedThe KalyanKasaraKarjat Railway Passengersrsquo Association also said they had raised a strong objection to Bhojpuri songs being played at high volume at Thane Ambivli and other suburban railway stations demanding that those responsible for authorising the broadcasts be identified and disciplinary action including suspension if warranted be initiatedLeft Rajesh Ghanghav of the KalyanKasaraKarjat Railway Passengersrsquo Association Shailesh Raut railway commuter activistAssociation representative Rajesh Ghanghav alleged that certain officials within the Central Railway administration had repeatedly shown disregard for Marathi the official languageof MaharashtraldquoUnder the pretext of Chhath Puja celebrations Bhojpuri songs are being played at high volume at Thane Ambivli and other suburban railway stations We view this as a deliberate attempt to disregard the regional identity and linguistic sentiments of Maharashtrardquo Ghanghav saidHe clarified that the association was not opposed to Chhath Puja or the religious practices of any community ldquoHowever such activities should not be conducted in a manner that disregards the linguistic and cultural identity of Mumbai and Maharashtrardquo he addedPotshot at partiesCommuter activist Lata Argade stated ldquoSongs were played on the occasion of Bhau Beej One would expect Marathi songs celebrating the festival to be played at railway stations across Maharashtra Instead those responsible seem to have forgotten Maharashtrarsquos festivals while celebrating one associated with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar They must be questionedrdquoLata Argade commuter activistTaking a political dig she added ldquoTwelve years ago political parties questioned the then Congress government with the slogan lsquoKuthe Neun Thevla Maharashtra Majharsquo Where have you taken my Maharashtra Today those very parties seem to have taken Maharashtra straight to Bihar and Uttar PradeshrdquoldquoWhy are songs celebrating our festivals not played at railway stations Why is there discrimination against our own festivals in our own Maharashtra More importantly is Chhath Puja a national festival This is my question to the railway administrationrdquo Argade saidNeutrality compromisedThe Marathi Ekikaran Samiti Maharashtra State has submitted a formal complaint to the Divisional Railway Manager Mumbai raising serious concerns over the use of railway public announcement systems to broadcast religious songs and messages during Chhath Puja across the Central and Harbour railway lines in MumbaiThe committee in a letter a copy of which is with midday argued that Indian Railways being a public institution must maintain religious neutrality equality and constitutional principles It questions whether such broadcasts are permitted under official railway rules and whether similar facilities are provided equally for other religious and cultural festivalsThe committee has requested details of the permissions granted applicable rules and the impact on passenger safety and essential announcements It has also demanded an investigation appropriate action against any violations and a written response from railway authorities to ensure transparency public safety and equal treatment of all communitiesOfficial SpeakCentral Railway officials told this newspaper that various jingles and awareness messages are played at railway stations on different occasions ldquoIn view of the upcoming Chhath Puja festival songs related to the festival are being played at select railway stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus from where special trains are being operated These songs are played during intervals when no essential passenger information or train announcements are being broadcastrdquo CR chief spokesperson Dr Swapnil Nila told midday adding that the playing of songs had already been stopped