Mumbai, November 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
BJP leader Ram Kadam on Friday criticised Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi over her comments on Anna Hazare’s 2011 anti-corruption movement in her recently released memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, while also defending the playing of Bhojpuri songs at Mumbai railway stations during Chhath celebrations.
Reacting to the memoir’s account of the India Against Corruption movement, Kadam said questioning Hazare’s integrity was unacceptable, arguing that the activist had campaigned for the implementation of the Lokpal without seeking political gains.
An excerpt from Gandhi’s book describes Hazare as the public face of the movement and refers to subsequent statements by some of its prominent participants alleging that it had been covertly organised and supported by the BJP and the RSS.
Hazare has rejected any suggestion of links with the two organisations, saying he had no association with either and did not participate in their programmes. He maintained that his priority was the country.
Kadam said Hazare’s campaign had attracted widespread public support because its demand for an effective Lokpal was justified. He argued that the activist had fought for a national cause rather than personal or political benefits.
Describing Hazare as an honest and respected public figure, the BJP leader said the movement had compelled the government to accept the demands raised during the agitation.
Kadam also addressed the controversy surrounding Bhojpuri songs being played at Mumbai railway stations during Chhath celebrations, asserting that Maharashtra’s linguistic identity was not incompatible with respecting other languages.
He said Marathi would always hold a special place in the state, but Maharashtra also had a tradition of welcoming people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Highlighting Mumbai’s diverse population, Kadam noted that large numbers of people from Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh live in Maharashtra and celebrate Chhath, one of their major festivals.
He said language should not be used as a political tool to establish dominance, adding that the state’s cultural identity reflected its multilingual character.
Kadam maintained that respecting Marathi and accommodating the languages and traditions of other communities could go hand in hand.
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