Uddhav takes on BJP on making Ram Temple a political event

Uddhav Thackeray, President of the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of the Shiv Sena on Saturday took on the Bharatiya Janata Party claiming that they were trying to make the inauguration of the ‘Ram Temple a political event’. Uddhav also lauded senior BJP Leader LK Advani saying that his rath yatra was crucial for the construction of the Ram Temple.

“Many karsevaks lost their lives for the Ram Temple movement, many had to go to prison for it. I am very happy that the temple is being built. I just do not expect it to be a political event,” said Thackeray on Saturday while speaking to reporters.

“I think they (BJP) want to do a political event… My request is that it should not be a political event. Ram Lalla is not one person or any party’s personal property. There are thousands and lakhs of people’s faith linked to this. The judgment that led to the building of the Ram Temple has come from the Supreme Court, the government has not done anything for the Ram Temple,” said the UBT President.


Thackeray said that the Shiv Sena had also played a huge role in the Ram Temple agitation.

Referring to reports of him also being invited, Thackeray claimed that he did not need an invite to take blessings of Lord Ram. “It is not ordained that we visit the temple now, I can visit the temple any time I want even today. To take Lord Ram’s blessings we don’t need an invitation.”

Referring to reports of BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi being asked to stay away from the event, Thackeray said,“ I have to speak of Advani ji’s contribution, the whole movement got a fillip due to his rath yatra. Forget me, I have heard that Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi have also not been invited. Which is why I am again saying that this should not be made into a political event.”

Uddhav’s comments come in the backdrop of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra in a slanging match on the Ram Temple inauguration. While the UBT has been claiming that they were involved in the Ram Temple movement as the Shiv Sainiks were also involved in bringing down the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya. The BJP has questioned the claim saying that the Shiv Sena had no role to play in the Ram Temple movement. BJP Minister Girish Mahajan has tried to rub it in saying that Uddhav was not invited for the event as it was only for VVIPs and that Uddhav didn’t get an invite as he had no role to play in the Ram Temple movement.