Marathi groups object to Bhojpuri songs at Mumbai railway stations
Central Railway defended playing Chhath Puja songs at certain stations after activists and Marathi-speaking residents raised objections.
Marathi-speaking residents and activists have raised objections after Bhojpuri songs linked to the Chhath Puja festival were played at some Mumbai railway stations, according to reports by The Indian Express, Rediff and Urban Acres.
The issue surfaced after videos of the songs being played at stations circulated on social media. The songs were played ahead of the Chhath Puja festival, which is prominently celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Central Railway defended the move, stating that jingles and awareness messages related to specific themes are played on different occasions. A spokesperson said the songs were played at stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), where special trains are operating to manage the festival rush.
The spokesperson clarified that these songs are played during additional time available, apart from the time required for broadcasting essential passenger announcements. Central Railway maintained that essential announcements remain unaffected.
The controversy has sparked a debate regarding whether Maharashtra’s own festivals and regional traditions deserve similar recognition at railway stations.