‘Those looting Hindus in power’: Uddhav Thackeray targets BJP, kicks off ‘Ram Raksha’ agitation

Days after losing six Lok Sabha MPs and MLC Sachin Ahir to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday sharpened his Hindutva pitch, accusing the BJP of betraying the Ram Temple movement and alleging that those who came to power in the name of Lord Ram had allowed the alleged loot of devotees’ donations. Addressing the party’s “Ram Raksha Andolan” at Dadar’s Hanuman temple after a maha aarti and recitation of the Ram Raksha Stotra and Hanuman chalisa, Thackeray said Hindus would not forgive those responsible for the alleged irregularities in donations made to the Ayodhya Ram temple. “We are staunch and patriotic Hindus. Hindus are innocent, but they are not fools. If someone loots a temple by taking advantage of our faith, Hindus won’t forgive,” Thackeray said. The protest was organised after allegations of irregularities in the handling of donations at the Ram temple surfaced following a preliminary inquiry, triggering a political row. The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated action in the case. Invoking the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Thackeray said Shiv Sainiks had played a major role in the campaign. “When slogans of ‘Mandir wahin banayenge’ were raised, Shiv Sainiks did as much, if not more, than anyone else. We participated in shila pujan, the Rath Yatra and kar seva. Many kar sevaks shed blood and many sacrificed their lives,” he said. ALSO READ | Why the Ram Temple ‘theft’ controversy has RSS concerned Recalling the period after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Thackeray referred to the Mumbai riots and serial blasts and said, “At that time, only one leader stood firmly with Hindus and that was Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.” Launching a direct attack on the BJP, Thackeray alleged that the party had used the Ram temple movement to capture power and later turned against the Shiv Sena. “Twelve years ago, the person for whom we worked became the Prime Minister. But after coming to power, they decided to finish Shiv Sena because they wanted to monopolise Hindutva. They wanted to take advantage of Hindutva for politics. Shiv Sena is the only party that can stand before them and question them,” he said. Questioning the alleged financial irregularities, Thackeray said, “If this is the condition in Ayodhya, then what will happen in Kashi and Mathura? We thought Hindus would no longer suffer. Instead, today Hindus are being looted.” He also referred to alleged irregularities reported from other temple towns and demanded accountability in the Ayodhya case. Thackeray claimed Shiv Sainiks had contributed money and silver bricks for the Ram temple and asked, “Where has all that gone?” The protest assumes significance as it comes at a time when Sena (UBT) is facing a series of political setbacks. In the last two weeks, six of its Lok Sabha MPs joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, followed by MLC Sachin Ahir, who was subsequently elected Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Responding to Thackeray’s remarks, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he was happy that the Sena (UBT) chief had remembered Lord Ram. “I am happy that Uddhav Thackeray has remembered Lord Ram. He had forgotten Lord Ram and that is why he reached this situation. If he follows the path of Lord Ram, it will be good for him. He should recite the Ram Raksha Stotra every day,” Fadnavis said. The ‘Ram Raksha Andolan’ began at Dadar’s Hanuman temple in Mumbai and Sena (UBT) leaders said similar protests would be held across Maharashtra over the alleged misuse of donations made by devotees to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.