Two major organisers cancel UP diwas functions

Here's a reason to smile for MNS chief Raj Thackeray. Uttar Pradesh divas that's celebrated on January 24 will be a low-key affair in the city this year. Two out of the three major organisers have cancelled their programmes, while the third one prefers to keep the celebrations low.



Also, Samajwadi Party (SP) has planned only a small function that too, in far-flung Mira Road. "We don't want to disturb the daily life in the city," said a party spokesperson. Another north-Indian organisation, Uttar, has cancelled its function this year.

Last year, a controversy sparked off after R R Patil was gifted a lathi, lota, gamcha and dhoti, at the function. "We didn't know UP diwas would turn into a political affair. Certain people used it to show their muscle power on the weaker sections of the society. I don't want to give somebody a chance to cause riots again," said founder member of Uttar, Uday Pratap Singh. He has planned a hawan for theu00a0 terror attacks victims.

Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad too, has cancelled its event because of the Mumbai terror attacks. Founder member Munna Trupathi said, "It is inappropriate to have a function after the terror attacks."

We will celebrate

However, Amarjeet Mishra, founder member of north-Indian organisation Abhiyan, said they will keep the function a modest affair. "We will keep it a low-key affair because of the terror attacks."

Meanwhile, Vageesh Saraswat, a north Indian and vice president of MNS is happy that organisers have cancelled the celebrations. "January 24 is not UP's foundation day. Nobody in UP celebrates it. It's better that they celebrate Maharashtra diwas here," said Vageesh.u00a0

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut added, "It is up to the state's north Indians as to what they want to celebrate. But they rather celebrate Maharashtra diwas on May 1."