Muted Chhatth celebrations in Mumbai as Shiv Sena mourns Bal Thackeray's death

Mumbai: The organisers of Chhatth festival in Mumbai have reportedly cancelled all cultural events and ceremonies scheduled on the occasion, a festival which is celebrated by Biharis, in an apparent show of solidarity with the Shiv Sena. The party has been in news often for its targeting of Biharis in Mumbai.

Earlier in the day, the party demanded that a memorial to the late Shiv Sena chief be erected at his cremation venue, Shivaji Park, and be placed next to that of Chhattrapati Shivaji's in the ground.

"We want his memorial to be built here (Shivaji Park). Why won't the government permit it?" asked Manohar Joshi, former Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena leader. He added that the party wanted his memorial next to "Chhattrapati Shivaji's memorial".

Chhatth festival organisers have cancelled all cultural events and ceremonies in an apparent show of solidarity with the Shiv Sena.

Meanwhile, markets and offices have opened on Monday. Taxis, buses and autos are also back on the roads after Shiv Sena rejected pleas and calls for a bandh. The famous Zaveri Bazar has, however, decided to remain shut.

The Shiv Sena supremo's ashes will be circulated amongst all of its district heads, after which the ashes will be immerse in holy rivers on November 23.

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