In the latest dispute surrounding Shiv Sena party’s symbol, a section of Sikh community leaders have objected to the swords and shield – the symbol allotted to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Balasaheb’s faction- saying it was the religious symbol of the Khalsa panth. They have written to the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying the symbol has religious connotations and should be withdrawn as the Shinde faction’s symbol.
The Context
To recall, a political storm shook Thackeray’s government in June after a rebellion by Shinde, who—along with 40 MLAs—allied with the BJP to form a new government. While Sikh community opposed the symbol accorded to Eknath Shinde faction, Samata Party objected to the mashaal symbol accorded Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena faction. The Election Commission on October 11 allotted the Shinde faction “two swords and a shield” as its election symbol. Earlier, the group proposed gada (mace), trishul (trident), and rising sun symbol options, which the ECI declined citing religious connotations. The faction then suggested the peepal tree, swords and a shield, and the sun as its choices for the poll symbol on October 10.
Furore over sword and shield
Ranjitsingh Kamthekar, former secretary of Gurudwara Sachkhand Board, Nanded, has highlighted the religious connotations of the Shinde faction’s newly allotted symbol. He said that Shri Guru Gobind Singh had set the “swords and shield” as the “religious symbol of the Khalsa Panth.” Kamthekar, who is also a Congress leader, said if the ECI does not take note of the issue, they will move the court. “I want to bring to the notice of the EC that even the symbol allotted to the Shinde faction too has religious implications. I hope the EC will take note of it,” he said.
Objection over Mashaal symbol to Uddhav faction
The Thackeray-led faction also faces an objection over the poll symbol after the ECI froze the Sena’s “bow and arrow” symbol and was allotted mashaal as its party’s symbol. However, the Samata Party has objected to the symbol, saying the mashaal was reserved for them and they don’t want to lose their election identity. They said if their demand is not met, they will even move the Supreme Court.
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