Chhath Puja In Mumbai: Bhaiyyas Are Now Uttar Bharatiyas As Shiv Sena Goes Inclusive
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2021-11-13 07:37:13
About the Author
How times change! After being after the bhaiyyas (migrants from north Indian states of Bihar and UP) for decades, the Shiv Sena seems to have finally admitted that they are as much Mumbaikars as the Marathi manoos and have contributed equally to making Mumbai the lively, vibrant and enterprising city that it is. For the first time ever, the Shiv Sena-controlled BMC has facilitated the holding of Chhath Puja festivities at specified water bodies (the beaches are still out of bounds) across Mumbai, even constructing artificial ponds at its own cost.
The reasons behind the change of heart and stance are not far to seek. Migrants from Bihar and UP make up a sizeable 24% vote bank in the city. With the breakup of Shiv Sena's alliance with the BJP, there is a huge possibility that they will vote for the Big Brother, given the past hostility of Shiv Sainiks against them. As BMC elections are near, the Shiv Sena is leaving no stone unturned to woo this vote bank and ensure that they are made to feel at home in Mumbai.
But whatever the reason, the changed stance of Shiv Sena is welcome. The so-called bhaiyyas are instrumental in keeping the city moving. Their efforts cannot be ignored. The old theory of them coming and stealing the jobs of the Marathi manoos does not hold true. On their part, the migrants should also respond positively and the politically-inclined and influential among them must also now think of Shiv Sena as an option, which is what the Sena wants although it is not clear whether it will go the whole hog and give influential migrants a place on the high table.
The politics of Mumbai is changing rapidly after Shiv Sena realized the futility of parochialism. Inclusiveness - and the resultant increase in vote share - is the new mantra as the party readies itself to fight the might of the BJP in alliance with the NCP and the Congress. This is good for the huge number of people from other states who have made Mumbai their home and who were worried about how they would fare under the Shiv Sena. In the new scheme of things, the Sena has even dropped the derogatory term "bhaiyya" and has started using "uttar Hindustanis" for this migrant community.
