Nagpur: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday mounted one of his sharpest attacks yet on BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on its home turf, asking RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat whether the present state of the country reflected the “Hindu Rashtra” the organisation long advocated.Speaking after participating in a Ram Raksha Stotra recital at the Ram Mandir in Ram Nagar here, Thackeray alleged that temple donation controversies and detention of environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk reflected a failure of governance under BJP.Thackeray said he wanted to ask Bhagwat: “Is this the Hindu Rashtra you envisioned, where temples are being looted, examination papers are leaked, students’ futures are destroyed and political parties are forced to split?”He added that the country required “Ram Rajya and Shiv Shahi that delivers justice to the poor, women, students and youth,” and not what he described as governance driven by power and contracts.Reiterating that the agitation was about protecting the sanctity of Lord Ram and the temple, Thackeray said the Ram Mandir was “not BJP’s private property”, asserting that they want “a BJP-free Ram.”Taking a swipe at MPs from his party who recently defected to BJP, Thackeray challenged them to publicly clarify their stand on the alleged Ram temple donation irregularities.The UBT Sena chief said the Ram temple movement, in which Shiv Sena played a key role under founder Bal Thackeray’s leadership, entered a new phase. “The temple has been built, but now we are forced to launch another struggle — to protect its sanctity,” he said.Responding to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ remarks questioning whether he knew the Ram Raksha Stotra, Thackeray said, “Reciting the Ram Raksha is one thing, but protecting Ram is the duty of true devotees. We are Ram-Rakshaks.”The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief alleged that irregularities in temple donations and land transactions linked to Ayodhya damaged public faith. He said his party would continue raising the issue of donation theft until an independent inquiry was ordered. He demanded that the Centre appoint a retired judge like retired Supreme Court judge Abhay Oka to investigate the alleged donation irregularities.The former CM also referred to alleged irregularities involving temple properties in Ayodhya, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Ujjain, claiming corruption reached places of worship. He alleged that those who made sacrifices during the Ram temple movement did not do so “to fill the pockets of thieves.”Thackeray also questioned recent statements attributed to Bhagwat on population and national identity, arguing that the real concern was ensuring opportunities and justice for the country’s youth. “He said Muslims in this country are also Hindus and that Hindus should have two or three children. Examination papers are being leaked repeatedly, students are being pushed towards despair, and many are ending their lives. Should people have more children only to see them suffer?” Uddhav said.Thackeray said the campaign launched from Nagpur would now be expanded across Maharashtra and other states.
