Whether it is Ganesh festival, Navaratra or Dahi Handi (Krishna Janmashtami), political parties of all hues all come out in the open and ‘battle’ it out on the streets.
Diwali, though among the most popular festivals, has witnessed a heavy dose of commercialisation but escaped from being politicised
MUMBAI: Whether it is Ganesh festival, Navaratra or Dahi Handi (Krishna Janmashtami), political parties of all hues — Congress, NCP, BJP, Shiv Sena, MNS — all come out in the open and ‘battle’ it out on the streets. Surprisingly, Diwali has been thoroughly commercialised but not at all politicised. Why?
The state BJP General Secretary Vindo Tawde said, “Primarily, Diwali has an individualistic character. What I mean is whether the rich or the poor, everybody celebrates Diwali in their respective homes by worshipping goddess Laxmi. All you require is a clay lamp, flowers and sweets. Although in some areas in Dombivili and Ville-Parle, people assemble in the community temple for a get together. But still it does not have the sarvajanic utsav fervour seen in other festivals.”
What is surprising is the huge hoardings and cut-outs of different political leaders, otherwise always vying for space, is missing in Diwali. A senior BMC official admitted, “Politicians mess up the city less during Diwali compared to Ganesh, Navratri or Dahi Handi festivals. As a result, usual complaints of NCP occupying Sena space and vice-versa also are also fewer during Diwali.”
Maruti Pawar, 80-year-old Parel resident, recalls how Mumbai has always regaled in celebrating their festivals on the streets. Patronage of underworld dons or political godfathers is also not a new to Mumbai festivals. But he admits Diwali is one such festival in which every colony and family take part in the pooja as a separate unit. Though identical in nature, Diwali has succeeded in being within the four walls of every home.
State Congress spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam says, “Diwali has narrowly escaped from being hijacked by politicians because it is difficult to organise the crowd. At the best, we can mobilise the people and burst crackers. It is not the same when you sponsor Dahi Handi or organise the Ganesh festival where political cadre is involved.”
Nirupam has taken a lead in organising Chhat Puja (Sun worship) to unite the north Indian community (Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) living in Mumbai in his bid to consolidate his own base in the party.
After switching over to Congress, he also made an attempt to give Dahi Handi a Congress tag. Initially, Dahi Handi was associated with Shiv Sena. In 1999, the NCP youth leader Jitendra Awad gave a new political identity to Dahi Handi by announcing the highest ever cash award. Today, Congress, BJP, NCP and Sena all hire the best and biggest organisers to make the most of the festivals.
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