Uddhav reaches out to socialists, says old differences can be resolved
Mumbai (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said the old differences with socialists were mainly ideological which can be settled for the cause of democracy.
Addressing a gathering of 21 socialist parivar parties, Thackeray recalled that despite differences, his father and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray and socialist leaders had come together for the common cause of Samyukta (united) Maharashtra.
The movement achieved its goal when Maharashtra was created as a Marathi linguistic state in 1960 with Mumbai as its capital.
"We had ideological differences even though our objective was the same. Differences can be resolved when we sit and talk," Thackeray said.
He recalled how George Fernandes managed to defeat Congress stalwart SK Patil in the 1960s, saying the trade union leader instilled confidence among people that Patil, a Mumbai strongman who had the backing of industrialists, could be defeated.
"It can happen even now if we stand united for democracy. Cadres are very important and if we have a strong cadre, there is no need to fear," he added.
Thackeray said Shiv Sena- founded in 1966--and socialist parties have had a long history of differences but they did come together on issues like Samyukta Maharashtra.
"Samajwadis also played an important role in the movement against Emergency. Despite differences, Acharya Atre, SA Dange and (Bal) Thackeray were on the same page during the movement for a united Maharashtra," he added.
Hitting out at the BJP, Thackeray said the BJP joined hands with Shiv Sena (undivided) after the assembly bypoll in 1987 showed that the election could be won by consolidating Hindu votes.
He alleged the BJP wants to grow by "destroying" others, and currently, it doesn't want anyone.
"At this moment, I have nothing to offer you because I possess nothing. When you join hands with someone who cannot offer you anything, it is true friendship," the former Maharashtra chief minister said.
He accused the BJP of splitting parties and alliances which are doing well.
"If the BJP can shower flowers on Pakistani cricketers at the Narendra Modi stadium, I can also talk to socialist parties. Many of them may be Muslims but they are nationalists who want to protect the country's democracy," he said.
Thackeray alleged the Jan Sangh, the forerunner of BJP, was instrumental in splitting the Janata Party on the dual membership issue.
The Shiv Sena (UBT), a constituent of the INDIA bloc, is trying to rebuild itself for the 2024 polls in view of a vertical split in Shiv Sena (undivided) last year.
After the split, the faction led by Thackeray joined hands with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) led by Daslit leader Prakash Ambedkar and Maratha outfit Sambhaji Brigade as part of its social engineering plan.
Notably, Shiv Sena (undivided), which fashioned itself as the protector of Marathi manoos and later Hindutva, had a common cause with socialist parties on several issues in the 1960s 70s.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
