BJP targets Shiv Sena for Islamic words in its party calendar

BJP leader Atul Bhatkhalkar has once again targeted Shiv Sena for using Islamic words in the calendar and using 'Janab' in front of party chief Balasaheb Thackeray's name.

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday renewed its attack on Shiv Sena government after the latter released their multilingual calendar with 'Janab' written next to the name of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. BJP MLA from Kandivali East Atul Bhatkhalkar said that the new Shiv Sena calendar has the majority of its words in Urdu and English and not Marathi.

The Urdu calendar was prepared by office bearers from the minority community in Wadala Naigaon area which was been criticised by Bhatkhalkar, alleging that some dates and texts written in it are against Hindutva. The leader took it to Twitter to post pictures and video of the calendar alleging that the title Hindu Hriday Samrat has been dropped from the name of Balasaheb Thackeray.

The leader also lashed out at Shiv Sena for removing the title 'Hindu Heart Emperor' from Balasaheb Thackeray's name and writing only 'Shivaji Jayanti' on the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's birthday.

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Bhatkhalkar, who is also the party's spokesperson said, "Most of the words used in the calendar are written in Urdu and English. Islamic words are mentioned in it which is against the agenda of Hindutva. 'Janab' has been written in front of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray's name."

"Not only this, the calendar does not mention the title of 'Hindu Heart Emperor' in front of Balasaheb Thackeray's name. Only 'Shivaji Jayanti' is mentioned for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's birthday. We are totally against this. Shiv Sena does not need a certificate of Hindutava," the leader added.

Shiv Sena and BJP have been engaged in a war of words over 'Hindutva' on several occasions, with the most recent being a Shiv Sena leader suggesting an 'Azaan' recital competition for Muslim children.