--- title: "Mumbai stations play Bhojpuri songs, sparking cultural debate" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/mumbai-stations-play-bhojpuri-songs-sparking-cultural-debate" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/mumbai-stations-play-bhojpuri-songs-sparking-cultural-debate" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/mumbai-stations-play-bhojpuri-songs-sparking-cultural-debate.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/mumbai-stations-play-bhojpuri-songs-sparking-cultural-debate" category: "Politics" area: "India" published: "2026-11-12T10:46:14.261Z" source_reported: "2026-11-12T09:56:42.000Z" updated: "2026-11-12T11:30:19.186Z" trust_score: 48 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 48 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-11-12T10:30:23.975200+00:00" --- # Mumbai stations play Bhojpuri songs, sparking cultural debate *Objections raised by Marathi speakers and political groups over music selection ahead of Chhath Puja.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 48 of 100, higher is better. Central Railway spokesperson quoted, but central claim rests on anonymous sourcing in digests. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Most outlets are digests; one full report, but it lacks quotes from affected parties. - Hype 48 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use words like 'backlash' and 'controversy' but the body is more measured. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Bhojpuri songs were played at some Mumbai railway stations before Chhath Puja. - The music prompted criticism from Marathi-speaking individuals and activists. - Central Railway stated songs are played during available time, separate from essential announcements. - The incident has ignited a discussion about acknowledging Maharashtra's festivals at railway stations. Bhojpuri songs were broadcast at several Mumbai railway stations in the period leading up to the Chhath Puja festival. This decision led to criticism from some Marathi-speaking people and activists, who questioned the use of the railway announcement systems for cultural events. Videos of the songs being played circulated on social media, drawing attention to the issue. A spokesperson for Central Railway stated that songs and awareness messages are played at stations for various occasions. They clarified that these are broadcast during available time slots that do not interfere with essential passenger announcements. The controversy has also prompted a wider debate about whether Maharashtra's own festivals and regional cultural traditions receive similar recognition at railway stations. ## Political objections Political groups have also voiced objections. Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have raised concerns or made specific demands related to the event. Reports indicate that Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Madhuri Manjrekar complained about loud music causing inconvenience. The MNS has reportedly demanded the creation of artificial ponds for the festival. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the specific details of the Central Railway spokesperson's statement regarding the timing of the songs, beyond the general clarification that they were played during non-essential announcement periods. The left-rated digest did not include the Central Railway's clarification or the specific political responses from parties like the MNS or the BJP-Shinde faction. ## Who covered it Shares of the 6 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 17% (1) - Centre: 16% (1) - Right: 67% (4) 7 of 13 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-12T10:30:23.975200+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-12T11:30:19.186Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated report led on the backlash against the playing of Bhojpuri songs at Mumbai train stations ahead of Chhath Puja. It highlighted that the move sparked a debate concerning cultural representation within railway announcements. The digest noted that the issue surfaced after videos of the songs were shared on social media, leading to objections. ### Centre - The centre-rated report focused on the backlash and controversy surrounding Bhojpuri songs played at Mumbai railway stations before Chhath Puja. It detailed that the issue came to light via social media videos and drew criticism from Marathi-speaking people and activists. The report included a statement from a Central Railway spokesperson explaining that songs are played during available time beyond essential announcements. It also mentioned the ensuing debate on recognising Maharashtra's festivals at stations. ### Right - The right-rated reports highlighted the controversy and political objections to Bhojpuri songs being played at Mumbai railway stations for Chhath Puja. They noted that the Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena protested, with a corporator complaining about the loud music. Some reports also mentioned that the MNS demanded artificial ponds and that the BJP-Shinde faction responded to the situation. The digests stated that the playing of these songs sparked political debate and that Central Railway clarified its position on announcement times. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 2 - unknown: 7 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Unknown](https://aajtak.in/india/maharashtra/story/mumbai-wadala-station-bhojpuri-songs-chhath-puja-controversy-pvzs-rpti-2694497-2026-11-12) — Controversy Erupts at Mumbai's Wadala Station over Bhojpuri Songs; Uddhav Thackeray-Led Shiv Sena Objects - [The Hindu](https://thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/railways-faces-backlash-for-playing-bhojpuri-songs-at-mumbai-train-stations/article71693059.ece) — Railways faces backlash for playing Bhojpuri songs at Mumbai train stations - [Pragativadi: Leading Odia Dailly](https://pragativadi.com/mumbai-railway-station-chhath-puja-controversy-unfolds) — Mumbai Railway Stations Face Backlash Over Bhojpuri Songs for Chhath Puja - [India TV Hindi Hindi](https://indiatv.in/maharashtra/politics-erupted-over-chhath-puja-in-mumbai-controversy-over-playing-of-bhojpuri-songs-at-railway-stations-2026-11-12-1254052) — Why Did Politics Erupt in Mumbai over Chhath Puja? It Was over Bhojpuri Songs Being Played at the Station - India TV Hindi - [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai-railway-stations-face-backlash-over-bhojpuri-songs-played-ahead-of-chhath-puja-101794474684413.html) — Mumbai railway stations face backlash over Bhojpuri songs played ahead of Chhath Puja - [Prabhat Khabar - Hindi News](https://prabhatkhabar.com/national/mumbai-railway-stations-chhath-bhojpuri-songs-controversy-central-railway-clarification) — Controversy over Chhath Song: Railways Clarifies, Know What the Matter Is - [ABP News](https://abplive.com/states/maharashtra/mumbai-wadala-railway-station-bhojpuri-songs-controversy-during-chhath-puja-thackeray-faction-corporator-protests-3213948) — Mumbai: Controversy Erupts at Wadala Station over Bhojpuri Songs, Thackeray Faction Protests - [navbharatlive.com](https://navbharatlive.com/maharashtra/mumbai/mumbai-railway-stations-bhojpuri-songs-chhath-puja-political-controversy-mgb06) — A Bhojpuri Chhath Song Played at a Mumbai Station, Enraging the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS! Will the Marathi Controversy Erupt Again in Maharashtra? - [The Print](https://theprint.in/india/railways-faces-backlash-for-playing-bhojpuri-songs-at-mumbai-train-stations/3096770) — Railways faces backlash for playing Bhojpuri songs at Mumbai train stations - [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bhojpuri-songs-ahead-of-chhath-puja-at-mumbai-stations-draw-objections-central-railway-says-essential-announcements-remain-unaffected/articleshow/135760837.cms) — Bhojpuri songs ahead of Chhath Puja at Mumbai stations draw objections; Central Railway says essential announcements remain unaffected - [Amar Ujala](https://amarujala.com/india-news/row-erupts-over-bhojpuri-songs-at-mumbai-railway-stations-2026-11-12) — Mumbai: Bhojpuri Songs Played at Railway Stations Sparks Controversy, with People Questioning the Decision; Videos Going Viral - [TV9 Hindi](https://tv9hindi.com/state/maharashtra/mumbai-chhath-puja-politics-ubt-shiv-sena-objects-to-bhojpuri-songs-at-wadala-station-bjp-shinde-faction-reacts-3961104.html) — Bhojpuri Chhath Songs Played at the Mumbai Station, Sparking a Political battle... Several Parties Face Off. - [TV9 Marathi](https://tv9marathi.com/maharashtra/mumbai/railway-administration-instructions-to-play-chhath-puja-songs-at-mumbai-railway-stations-latest-marathi-news-1802126.html) — Mumbai Local: Orders to Play Chhath Puja Songs Loudly on Announcement Speakers at Railway Stations in Mumbai, What Role Will MNS Take? ## Questions **Why were Bhojpuri songs played at Mumbai railway stations?** Bhojpuri songs were played at some Mumbai railway stations ahead of the Chhath Puja festival. A Central Railway spokesperson stated that songs are broadcast during available time slots beyond essential passenger announcements, as part of various awareness messages and jingles for different occasions. **Who objected to the playing of Bhojpuri songs?** Objections were raised by sections of Marathi-speaking people and activists. Political parties, including the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), also voiced concerns or made demands related to the event. **What was the railway's response to the controversy?** A Central Railway spokesperson clarified that songs are played during available time slots that do not interfere with essential passenger announcements. They stated that various jingles and messages are broadcast for different occasions. **What broader debate did this incident spark?** The controversy ignited a debate about the recognition of Maharashtra's festivals and regional cultural traditions at railway stations. It raised questions about whether similar cultural acknowledgements should be extended to local festivals. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/mumbai-stations-play-bhojpuri-songs-sparking-cultural-debate. 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