Vijay Wadettiwar Says Festivals Should Be Inclusive Amid Chhath Puja Row

Nagpur: Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said there was no reason to oppose any form of worship or religious sentiment, while responding to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray’s recent remarks on Chhath Puja.

Wadettiwar said people in India have the freedom to practise their religion, follow their traditions and culture, and hold their own beliefs. He added that actions or statements against the nation should be opposed, but opposing people merely on the basis of religious sentiments was not appropriate.

His remarks came amid a political controversy over Chhath Puja in Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray had accused the BJP of using the festival to create tensions between Marathi and North Indian communities ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Wadettiwar said the Congress was not concerned with the MNS’s particular stance and maintained that festivals should be celebrated in an inclusive manner and treated equally.

The Chhath Puja row has drawn reactions from several political leaders in Maharashtra, with parties offering sharply different interpretations of the controversy.