Uddhav Thackeray Launches 'Ram Raksha' Protest Amid Allegations Against BJP

Mumbai's Political Landscape Heats Up

Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), declared a 'Ram Raksha' protest set to commence on July 5 in Maharashtra. He is calling on citizens to participate in this demonstration aimed at holding the BJP accountable for alleged misappropriation of donations intended for the Ayodhya temple.

Thackeray announced that participants will gather at the Hanuman temple in Dadar, Mumbai, on July 5 to recite the Hanuman Stotra and Hanuman Chalisa, urging the BJP to take responsibility for the alleged theft at the Ram temple.

"I urge everyone who is outraged by this supposed large-scale theft at the Ram temple to join us in demanding accountability from the BJP," Thackeray stated during a press conference.

In response, the BJP criticized Thackeray, with Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane accusing him of acting like a foreign agent and suggesting that the locations where he conducts 'maha aarti' should be 'purified' with cow urine.

Thackeray pointed out that citizens nationwide are grappling with various challenges, highlighting a sense of 'chaos' and 'indifference' towards public issues, despite the BJP's governance at both the national and state levels.

He recalled that many Hindus, including those from the original Shiv Sena, had contributed to the Ram temple movement, enduring significant hardships, including violence against 'karsevaks', the Godhra train incident, the Ahmedabad riots, and the Mumbai bombings. He accused the BJP of exploiting these events for political gain while enjoying 'unchecked power'.

The former chief minister also alleged that the BJP was involved in orchestrating defections and questioned whether they were executing an 'Operation Ram Mandir'.

Thackeray raised concerns about the allegations of embezzlement surrounding the temple donations, questioning if the misappropriated funds were used to entice opposition leaders.

Quoting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's famous words, 'Ab Hindu maar nahi khayega', Thackeray added, 'Now, I want to say, 'Ab Hindu maaf nahi karega'.'

He demanded severe penalties for those implicated in the alleged theft from the Ram temple donation boxes, emphasizing that 'looting in the name of Hindutva' would not be tolerated.

Thackeray criticized the BJP's slogan 'Mandir wahi banayenge' as a mere facade, asserting that the sacrifices made by those involved in the Ram temple movement would not be forgotten.

The allegations of donation embezzlement surfaced on June 7, leading to an FIR being filed on June 25 after a preliminary report from the Special Investigation Team established by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Eight individuals linked to the temple's donation management have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.

When asked about a potential visit to the Ayodhya shrine, Thackeray noted that the temple movement was a nationwide effort, significantly influenced by his father, the late Bal Thackeray, who campaigned extensively across Maharashtra.

He claimed that Bal Thackeray's campaign inspired former BJP leader L K Advani to initiate the Rath Yatra nationwide, suggesting that the BJP could undertake another such journey, with Shiv Sena (UBT) willing to participate.

Initially, Thackeray mentioned he would visit Ayodhya with Amit Shah but later clarified that, according to his sources, the Union Home Minister had not visited the temple either. 'I made that comment in jest about visiting with Shah,' he emphasized.

Thackeray accused those who have betrayed the faith of Hindus of committing 'treason', asserting that Maharashtra would spearhead protests on this matter.

He highlighted Maharashtra's significant role in the Ram temple movement and affirmed his intention to visit the shrine, stating that when Maharashtra awakens, the rest of the nation follows.

BJP state spokesperson Ram Kulkarni countered that his party has never exploited Lord Ram for political gain, asserting that their initiative to construct the Ram temple stems from their faith and identity.

He remarked that after years of struggle, the aspirations of millions of Hindus were fulfilled under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

Kulkarni characterized the alleged theft at the Ram temple as an isolated incident, assuring that police are investigating and will ensure accountability for those responsible.

He accused Thackeray of attempting to gain political advantage from the situation, claiming that Shiv Sena (UBT) is 'fighting for its political survival'.

Kulkarni stated that Thackeray lacks the moral authority to recite the Hanuman Chalisa or Ram Raksha, recalling that during his tenure as chief minister, Ram devotees reciting these hymns were imprisoned.

Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant remarked that Bal Thackeray had opposed Congress when Rahul Gandhi made disparaging comments about V D Savarkar.

"Where was Thackeray's Hindutva? Those who were once close to him have begun to gravitate towards Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, which has unsettled him," he commented.

Nitesh Rane reiterated that Thackeray was speaking in a manner akin to a foreign agent, stating, 'Uddhav Thackeray is echoing Osama Bin Laden's rhetoric. The places where he performs 'maha aarti' should be 'purified' with cow urine.'