EC’s Notice To Shiv Sena (UBT) To Remove Words ‘Jai Bhavani’, ‘Hindu’ From Party’s Anthem, Uddhav Says ‘Won’t Abide’

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray expressed his view that demanding the removal of “Jai Bhavani” from the anthem amounted to disrespect towards Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray stated on Sunday that he has been served notice by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to eliminate the words “Jai Bhavani” and “Hindu” from his party’s new anthem, yet he refuses to comply.

During a press briefing, Thackeray expressed his view that demanding the removal of “Jai Bhavani” from the anthem amounted to disrespect towards Maharashtra.

Thackeray elaborated that his party framed an anthem to promote its new electoral symbol, the “mashal” (flaming torch), and the ECI requested the exclusion of the words “Hindu” and “Jai Bhavani” from it.

“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,” Thackeray said.

Thackeray To Continue Using ‘Jai Bhavani’ And ‘Jai Shivaji’ In Public Meetings

The Sena UBT chief affirmed that he will continue using the words “Jai Bhavani” and “Jai Shivaji” in his public gatherings. “If the poll body takes action against us, they will have to tell us what they did when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who while campaigning for the Karnataka assembly elections, had asked people to say Jai Bajrang Bali and press the button on EVMs. Amit Shah had told people to vote for the BJP to get Ram Lalla darshan for free in Ayodhya,” he also said