The Election Commission of India (EC) issued a notice to Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) for using ”Jai Bhavani Jai Shivaji“ and “Hindu ha tujha dharma” words in its campaign song for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, citing its religious connotations with a Hindu goddess.
However, Mr. Thackeray responded defiantly, stating, “We will not remove these words under any circumstance.” He asked the poll body to address similar instances in the BJP’s campaigns, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s use of “Bajrang Bali ki Jai” during the Karnataka assembly elections. “It should first act against PM Modi who while campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly elections had asked people to say “Jai Bajrang Bali” and press the button on EVMs. (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah had told people to vote for the BJP to get Ram Lalla darshan for free in Ayodhya,” the former chief minister said.
The Sena (UBT) leader explained that his party crafted a song to promote its new electoral symbol, the “mashal” (flaming torch), but the EC demanded the removal of “Hindu” and “Jai Bhavani” from it. He defended the inclusion of these words, citing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s establishment of Hindavi Swaraj with the blessings of goddess Tulja Bhavani, clarifying that they were not soliciting votes based on religion. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj founded Hindavi Swaraj with the blessings of goddess Tulja Bhavani. We are not asking for votes in the name of the goddess or Hindu religion. This is an insult and will not be tolerated,” Mr. Thackeray said.
