Thackeray's Bold Stand: Shiv Sena's Defiance in Parliament

Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has announced his party's MPs will chant 'Vande Mataram' loudly in Parliament, challenging the BJP to remove them. This follows a Rajya Sabha directive against such slogans, which Thackeray criticizes, questioning the influence of colonial mindset on BJP policies.

Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), declared on Friday that his party's MPs are prepared to chant 'Vande Mataram' in Parliament, challenging the BJP to remove them. This defiance comes after a Rajya Sabha directive advised against using such slogans in parliamentary proceedings.

During a press conference, Thackeray criticized the BJP's stance, referencing historical instances when the party emphasized nationalistic expressions like 'Vande Mataram'. He questioned whether the recent directive indicates a shift in the BJP's ideological stand and humorously pondered if colonial influences are permeating the party.

The Rajya Sabha secretariat's instruction, reminding members about parliamentary decorum, is not unprecedented. Similar guidelines were issued during the UPA-led government in 2005, highlighting the ongoing debate over the role of patriotic slogans in formal governmental settings.

(With inputs from agencies.)