Anil Deshmukh accuses Nagpur civic body of turning Marbat-Badgya into an event

A political debate has broken out over Nagpur's nearly 145-year-old Marbat-Badgya tradition. Former minister Anil Deshmukh has written to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation commissioner alleging that the historic tradition is gradually being turned into an event. Deshmukh said this could affect the tradition's original spirit and the voice of ordinary citizens.

This year, the corporation has for the first time taken up, on a large scale, the responsibility of organising and promoting Marbat-Badgya itself. About 2 crore rupees has been provided for this. The corporation administration says the initiative aims to give the city's cultural heritage national and international recognition.

In his letter, Deshmukh recalled that the tradition, which has continued since 1881, has never been merely a religious or cultural festival. Through it, the people of Nagpur have periodically voiced social and public issues. The Badgyas have long been used to satirise inflation, unemployment, farmers' problems, administrative shortcomings and social ills, which he said is part of the tradition's identity.

Deshmukh also said in his letter that people today face several problems, including inflation, unemployment, crop damage due to rain, complaints over electricity bills linked to smart meters, potholed roads and traffic jams. According to him, raising such issues through the Badgyas has been an important aspect of the tradition. He alleged that this year, political convenience and show are pushing such public issues to the background, though this allegation is Deshmukh's own.

The former minister said clearly that Marbat-Badgya should not be seen merely as tourism, entertainment or a large-scale event. He said the tradition has always been a means of openly airing public sentiment and social questions. Deshmukh demanded that the corporation administration ensure adequate freedom for citizens to express public issues and grievances through the Badgyas, and that the tradition's original form be preserved.

In his letter, Deshmukh also demanded that the corporation administration frame a policy going forward so that citizens can effectively raise their problems and demands through the Marbat-Badgya festival. This year, the corporation has taken the initiative to organise the festival on a large scale and promote cultural tourism, and this has sparked a debate between the tradition's cultural form and its aspect of social and public expression.