“Rangeela” girl Urmila Matondkar, who had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election on a Congress ticket, joined the Shiv Sena on Tuesday. Matondkar spoke exclusively to The Daily Guardian. Excerpts:
Q: You had joined the Congress which portrays a secular image, and now you have joined the Shiv Sena whose ideology is hardcore Hindutva; so, what’s your ideology?
A: I am born Hindu. I was the student of Ruparel college; I did my study in psychology and sociology. I studied Hindu religion deeply. But in today’s world, the image of the words “Hindutva” and “secular” has changed.
Q: What does Hindutva mean to you?
A: I am a born Hindu. I don’t have to prove my Hindutva. No one can challenge my Hindutva. I studied the Hindu religion deeply. Hindutva didn’t teach you to hate other religions. I never felt the need to tell this to the world because religion is a personal thing and not something that has to be proclaimed by shouting at others.
Q: But why did you prefer to join the Shiv Sena; you could have also joined the NCP or MNS? Do you agree with the Shiv Sena’s“goondaism” image?
A: Goondaism? Which incident are you talking about?
Q: In the past, we have seen the Shiv Sena’s hooligan image—how the Shiv Sainiks beat up a retired Navy officer in Kandivli; his only fault was that he had sent a WhatsApp message criticising Chief Minister UddhavThackeray…
A: There are many such incidents of other parties where they beat up people for criticising the party leaders; then why only to blame the Shiv Sena?
Q: Last month, we have seen your squabble with Kangana Ranaut.
A: First of all, let me clarify that I was not interested in a squabble with anyone. It was started by her on twitter. It was just tu tu and not mei mei. I never replied to her tweet. But I have been dragged in to the controversy. I was trolled unnecessarily. Everyone is aware who was behind this. One party in the country is running a trolling brigade and creating fake accounts. I was being blamed for no reason. Many people have already started trolling me and I am sure I will be facing more trolling in future. These trolls only prove what I have started doing is correct.
Q: Is it true that the Shiv Sena is giving you the responsibility of the women’s wing?
A: I have joined the Shiv Sena because I want to work for poor people. During my Lok Sabha election campaign, I went to slums and I have seen the condition of the slums. I want to work for such areas. The Shiv Sena’s women’s wing is very strong and I’m happy to be a part of it, I am proud to be a part of Mumbai and work on women’s and children’s issues. If my MLC is accepted, I would like to work on women’s and children’s issues.
Q: Now that you have entered into active politics, can we see you in films too?
A:I don’t think I will work in films now. Currently, I want to understand the nation and regional politics.
