Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeraytoday disapproved of the idea of a ban on the sale offirecrackers in Maharashtra, a day after his party leader andstate minister Ramdas Kadam sought its proscription to protectthe environment.
He also appeared criticising curbs on celebrations duringHindu festivals when he said, "The only things that they havenot said till now are that tear off the 'Panchang' (Almanac)because festivals are all humbug. They should say that also.
After all, the festivals have already lost their sheen. Theexcesses of peace would someday explode."Last year, the apex court had banned those below 18 fromparticipating in the Dahi Handi sport and limited the heightof human pyramids to 20 feet. Also, activists moved courtsthis year demanding a ban on the use of loudspeakers duringGanpati Visarjan festivities.
Administering the oath for an "eco-friendly Diwali" tothe schoolchildren at the Mantralaya yesterday, Kadam had saidhe would request Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ban thesale of firecrackers in the state, on the lines of the SupremeCourt's verdict for the Delhi-NCR region.
Kadam retracted the statement saying the Shiv Sena willnot support anything that "goes against Hindu sentiments".
He had came under sharp criticism from party colleagueSanjay Raut and MNS chief Raj Thackeray for his remarks.
"I had never said the state government is contemplating aban," Kadam said today.
"I had said that the issue is sensitive one and if at alla ban is to be imposed, Uddhav Thackeray and Chief MinisterDevendra Fadnavis would discuss it and take a decision as itwould be a policy decision," he said.
He added, "As environment ministry, our entire thrustwould be on creating awareness among the people about theharmful effects of firecrackers."The awareness drive will be undertaken to convincechildren and their parents about the pollution created byfirecrackers, he said.
Thackeray made his displeasure public when he visited theMetro-3 work site at the Azad Maidan in the south Mumbai. Healso expressed unhappiness over the ongoing metro work.
"I am not happy with the metro work being carried out inthe vicinity of the Aarey colony. I shall visit the area soonand make my stand clear. If the nature is being harmed due tothe work, the Shiv Sena will certainly oppose the work," hesaid.
Thackeray also said there were several complaints aboutdamage to buildings due to underground work of the Metro 3line. "However, the officers are taking good care to avoidany mishap," he added. PTI MM NRB TIR SKTIR.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.