“Are We Hindus or Some Other Community?”: Sanjay Raut Sparks Fresh Colour Row in Maharashtra Politics

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday waded into a growing political controversy over the use of colours in politics, asserting that no single colour belongs to any one community. Questioning the narrative around identity and symbolism, Raut asked, “Are we Hindus or some other community?”, stressing that colours should not be turned into tools of division.

Raut’s remarks came in response to a recent statement by an AIMIM leader following civic election results in Thane, which triggered intense political reactions. Addressing the issue, Raut said, “The colour green does not belong to anyone. The seven colours of the rainbow belong to the entire world.” He added that political parties across India have traditionally used different colours to represent their ideologies and histories.

Explaining his point, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said, “Blue is associated with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, yellow represents certain regional parties, and every political movement has its own symbol and shade.” According to Raut, turning colours into religious or communal markers only weakens social harmony.

However, he made it clear that Maharashtra has a distinct historical identity. “If any colour defines Maharashtra, it is saffron, the colour linked with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” Raut said, adding that “all other colours can stand alongside it. Everyone is welcome.”

Meanwhile, AIMIM leaders continued to defend their position despite an apology issued earlier over the controversial remark. Party leaders maintained that expressing political ambition through symbols or colours is within democratic rights. AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel said the party aims to expand its presence across Maharashtra, while national spokesperson Waris Pathan argued that there is nothing unconstitutional about aspiring for the party’s flag to gain wider recognition. “Who wouldn’t want their party’s flag to wave across the country?” he said.