Raj Thackeray takes U-turn on Maha Aarti
Raj urges MNS workers to not perform ‘Maha Aartis’ on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya
MUMBAI: In a surprising move, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray took a u-turn on his earlier announcement of holding ‘Maha Aartis’ on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya on Tuesday.
Raj even appealed to his followers to drop the event and not resort to any activity that may cause a hindrance in the celebration of the Eid festival.
Posting a statement on Twitter, Thackeray said, “Eid is being celebrated tomorrow. The Muslim community should celebrate their festivities without any hindrances. I have already mentioned in my Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) rally. I appeal to my Maharashtra Sainiks not to perform ‘Maha Aartis’ on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya which will also be celebrated tomorrow. We do not intend to cause any hindrances or obstacles to any religion during their festivities.”
The decision holds significance as Thackeray had previously urged everyone to celebrate Akshay Tritiya with full vigour and perform Aartis. He contended that all Hindu festivals were to be celebrated with gusto.
In fact, his son Amit Thackeray was slated to perform Maha Aarti at Prabhadevi temple and MNS had vastly publicised the event.
This backtrack has surprised many in the political circles. According to MNS insiders, some Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders intervened and convinced Raj to back off during the Muslim festivities on Tuesday. There was no confirmation from the NCP on the same.
Raj recently adopted a hardline Hindutva stance and remained defiant on the May 3 deadline he had set for the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government to remove loudspeakers from mosques.
He threatened that his followers will chant Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers outside mosques if they are not removed.