Is 'Raksha Bandhan' also superstition?: Uddhav Thackeray to Sharad Pawar

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray today hit back at NCP chief Sharad Pawar after the latter took a swipe at the saffron party's 'shiv bandhan' initiative and wondered whether NCP will oppose 'Raksha bandhan' festival and bring it under the Anti-Superstition Act.

"Those who have cheated people throughout will never understand the difference between 'ganda' (thread tied around the wrist) and bandhan...Will the festival of 'Raksha Bandhan' be brought under the anti-superstition act?...If that happens we will oppose the act," Uddhav said.

His comments came a day after Pawar ridiculed the initiative wherein Sena workers on the occasion of late Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary on January 23 tied a "shiv bandhan" thread to remain loyal to the party and overthrow the Congress-NCP government in the state.

Scoffing the 'shiv bandhan' drive, Pawar had said, "this was violation of the anti-superstition act and I am waiting to see what action the government takes".