MNS Chief Raj Thackeray mocks sacred River Ganga dip

Pune –“I have been hearing since the time of Rajiv Gandhi that the River Ganga will be cleaned. Our party leader Bala Nandgaonkar had brought me River Ganga water from the Kumbha Mela. I told him that I would not drink it. Many people were bathing in that river. How can we drink such water ? Not a single river in the country is clean. This is the situation and we consider the river as our mother. Know the difference between faith and superstition,” stated MNS Chief Raj Thackeray. He was speaking at a gathering organized on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of MNS here. Raj Thackeray is being criticized from all levels for disrespecting the Ganga river.

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray disrespects the sacred Ganga snan at #Mahakumbh 🌊 🏞️

"No river in our country is truly clean, yet we call it our mother. Come out of superstition and use your heads properly" Thackeray remarked

🕉️ The Ganga snan holds immense significance in Hindu… pic.twitter.com/HWPBE1wHy4

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 9, 2025

Do not challenge the River Ganga : Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Mahant Sudhirdas Maharaj, Nashik

Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Mahant Sudhirdas Maharaj

One should not challenge the pilgrimage sites or the River Ganga. It is wrong to show oneself progressive by making such insulting statements about the River Ganga.

🚨 Raj Thackeray's remarks on #Mahakumbh and Ganga mata are entirely inappropriate and deserve strong condemnation. He has insulted the faith of 65 crore devotees!
– Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Mahant Sudhirdas Maharaj, Nashik @mahantpt03

🛕 No one should question the holiness… pic.twitter.com/08777L0Yu9

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 9, 2025

Taking a dip in the River Ganga is not superstition : MLA Girish Mahajan, BJP

MLA Girish Mahajan, BJP

Taking a dip in the River Ganga at the Kumbha Mela is not superstition, but faith. This is a tradition that has been going on for several years. It has a religious foundation.

Raj Thackeray has insulted the faith of devotees : Praveen Darekar, BJP

Praveen Darekar, BJP

Raj Thackeray’s statement is insulting to the devotees. Hindus believe in Gods, so we consider even stones as Gods. Therefore, we should not insult the faith of others.

Everyone’s faith should be respected : MLA Ram Kadam, BJP

MLA Ram Kadam, BJP

Raj Thackeray should think before making allegations. It is wrong to say this while sitting at home. Everyone’s faith should be respected.

Editorial Perspective

Bathing in the River Ganga has immense importance in Hindu Dharma. Hence, Raj Thackeray’s statement has hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus.