Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray spearheaded the Ram Raksha Nagar protest concerning the Ayodhya temple theft. Thackeray directly responded to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had questioned his religious commitment by challenging his knowledge of a sacred hymn. Thackeray emphasized that true devotees have a duty to protect Lord Ram, stating that genuine devotion involves safeguarding the deity’s sanctity against corruption.
The protest, held in Fadnavis’s stronghold, witnessed Thackeray criticizing the CM’s remarks on the recitation of the Ram Raksha. He expressed concern that despite the temple’s construction, there was a need to defend it. Thackeray called out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for leveraging Hindutva for political motives and urged people from all political affiliations to expose the party’s hypocrisy regarding the Ayodhya temple issue.
Thackeray urged Shiv Sena supporters to organize demonstrations in their communities, particularly in Vidarbha, a region where the BJP secures significant electoral victories. He declared his intention to personally lead protests in key cities. The protest, featuring senior leaders like Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray, marked a significant move by the UBT faction to challenge the BJP on the ideological front ahead of upcoming political contests in Maharashtra.
Thackeray extended his criticism to the Central Government, highlighting the case of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and condemning the police’s actions against peaceful demonstrators. He also denounced the government’s treatment of activist Abhijit Dipke, citing instances where humanity seemed absent from official actions. Thackeray announced plans to lead a protest in Mumbai against the NEET scam and in support of Wangchuk and Dipke, emphasizing the importance of youth-related issues cutting across party lines.
Thackeray strongly rebuked the Mahayuti government for delays in the crop loan waiver scheme and for excluding a large number of women from welfare programs. He criticized the state government for discontinuing schemes due to fund shortages. Thackeray’s statements underscored a growing tension between the UBT faction and the ruling BJP, setting the stage for intensified political confrontations in Maharashtra.
