Mumbai: "I am not a north Indian. I am a true Maharasthrian, but I performed Chhath Puja with the same devotion as any other Bihari," said MLA Ashok Bhau Jadhav.

Jadhav, along with members of Shrimati Daulati Devi Ramnath Yadav Memorial Trust, gathered at Juhu beach on Tuesday to worship Chatti maa. "This is our way of spreading the message of peace and harmony," said Jadhav, adding that they also paid their respects to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

"Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh adorned Shivajis statue with a garland. Thousands of devotees there also paid their homage to the warrior," he added.

Although Jadhav has been performing Chhath Puja since the last four years, he said the festivals significance had increased by manifolds this year. "In wake of the recent attacks against the north Indians, this was a perfect opportunity to stress on the importance of peace and unity. We dont want such petty matters to be blown out of proportion," he said.

"We love our state as much as Raj Thackeray, probably even more. If Shivaji Maharaj didnt make any distinction among his cadres, then why should we?" he questioned

However, the leader does agree with the MNS chiefs point of view that the festival shouldnt be politicised. "Hence, we had made elaborate arrangements to conduct the puja. Lalitya Munshaw, a well known singer and composer, sang inspirational bhajans and entertained the devotees," he said.

"I had prepared songs especially for the occasion and received tremendous response from the crowd for the song Jai Jai Maharashtra Maza. I believe that it is important to arrange events like these where people of different communities unite," said Munshaw.

 

Source : DNA