Shiv Sena will not tolerate curbs on Hindu festivals, says Uddhav Thackeray

Udhav Thackeray

Two days after the Supreme Court banned the sale of firecrackers during Diwali in the Delhi-NCR region, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said Sena would not tolerate such restrictions on the Hindu festivals. “If such decisions are going to be taken for the Hindu festivals, then issue orders to tear down the ‘panchang’ as well. So, the festivals will not be celebrated and firecrackers would not be burst. If such excess restrictions continue against Hindu festivals, then the dissatisfaction will explode one day. We will not tolerate such restrictions on Hindu festivals,” said Uddhav.

On Tuesday, Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said the state government had no plan to ban firecrackers in the state. “The state’s condition about pollution is much better than Delhi. Our focus is on creating awareness among people about celebrating environment-friendly Diwali,” said Kadam, who along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, gave oath to the students to celebrate pollution-free Diwali. Kadam said Sena would never support any restrictions on Hindu festivals and would not take a decision on firecracker ban.