Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has turned the spotlight on the ‘pollution in the Ganga.’ The leader refused to drink water from the river on Sunday and highlighted reports of people falling ill after bathing in or drinking it during the Mahakumbh.
He made such remark while addressing party workers in Mumbai. Thackeray claimed that MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar had travelled to the Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj and brought some water from the ‘sangam’, which is the sacred confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna (and mythical Saraswati) rivers. However, Thackeray—whose party is a part of the BJP-led alliance at the centre—declined to drink the holy water.
Breaking: 🚨
NOT Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Yadav, Mallikarjun Kharge, or Akhilesh Yadav this time a close ally & a dedicated Bhakt, Raj Thackeray, MOCKS the mismanagement of #KumbhMela, calling
“Won’t Even Touch That Dirty Ganga Water”He said, “Devotion should not make us blind.” pic.twitter.com/B9YFsTd7sT
— Mr. Misabh (@Misabh2020) March 9, 2025
“During our recent gathering in Mumbai, some office bearers were absent. When I asked why… some cited attending the Maha Kumbh. I asked them, Why indulge in so many sins that you need to wash them away in the Ganga’? he said, as quoted by the Times of India.
“Then some people told me they are unwell (after having) returned from the Mahakumbh. Our Bala Nandgaonkar had gone to the Kumbh. On his way back, he brought some Ganga water for me… but when he gave it to me, I said, ‘I will not drink this water.’..Thackeray said.
Reacting to his statement, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Monday said: “…All the Union Cabinet Ministers, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra should answer this because BJP is a friend of Raj Thackeray…”
“Thackeray had no intention of disrespecting Ganga Maiya….”
“Raj Thackeray had no intention of disrespecting Ganga Maiya or hurting the sentiments of Hindus. His grandfather, his uncle, and he himself have always spoken out against superstition. He clearly expressed his views, and if any further clarification is needed, discussions can always take place. I believe he holds deep respect and positive sentiments for Hindus, Marathi people, and everyone,” MNS leader and former MLA Bala Nandgaonkar told IANS.
