Maharastra / Putting up the Tricolour does not make you a patriot Uddhav Thackeray statement On Har Ghar Tiranga Drive

Mumbai : Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on BJP-led central government's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign today said, "Merely hoisting the tricolor doesn't make you a patriot." The Shiv Sena leader said he understands that it is part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', but we need to think how much democracy is left after 75 years (independence).

Speaking via video link on the 62nd Foundation Day of Marmik, a cartoon magazine started by his father Balasaheb Thackeray in 1960, Ud Thackeray said cartoonists have to guide people against India's "moving towards slavery". Speaking about a viral cartoon, he said, "Nowadays mai-baap (read monarchy) government has asked to put up the national flag at every house, but someone showed me a picture of it." "In it a poor man says, 'I have the tricolour, but I don't have a house to put it'. Hoisting the tricolor doesn't make one a patriot."

Uddhav adds, "Even today the Chinese are entering Arunachal. If we put the tricolor on our homes, they will not go back. The tricolor should be in our hearts too."

Armed forces budget cuts

Uddhav Thackeray accused the BJP of cutting the budget of the armed forces. "It is a matter of happiness to have tricolor as DP (picture displayed on social media), but it is unfortunate to talk about budget cuts of those who leave their homes and stand at the border to protect the country."

Thackeray also spoke on how his government was recently ousted by BJP-backed Shiv Sena rebels. "You don't have money to recruit the army, but you have money to topple the state government," he said.

BJP destroying regional parties

He accused the BJP of trying to eliminate regional parties. “JP Nadda (BJP chief) is talking of dismantling state parties. People should think about this. He also questioned the delay in giving portfolios to ministers in Eknath Shinde's Maharashtra government.