We're proud hindus, not fools: Uddhav Thackeray targets BJP over Ayodhya theft row
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday launched the party's Ram Raksha agitation in Mumbai over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday launched the party's Ram Raksha agitation in Mumbai over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, accusing the BJP of misusing Hindutva and claiming that those "looting Hindus are in power". Addressing supporters outside the Hanuman temple in Dadar after reciting the Hanuman Stotra and Hanuman Chalisa, Thackeray demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged financial irregularities linked to donations made at the Ayodhya temple. Read Full Story "If anyone loots a temple by misusing Hindutva, then Hindus will not spare them," he said, adding that an impartial probe was necessary.
"A robber cannot be asked to investigate his own robbery," Thackeray remarked, asserting that the matter should be investigated independently. Wearing a saffron kurta, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader repeatedly sought to distinguish his party's brand of Hindutva from that of the BJP. "We are proud Hindus, but not fools. We are fierce, innocent and nation-loving Hindus, but not fools," he said. Claiming that the BJP had come to power in the name of Lord Ram, Thackeray alleged that the party had betrayed the trust of devotees. Invoking the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, he said Balasaheb had given confidence to Hindus during difficult times, including after the Mumbai serial bomb blasts.
'WE ARE HANUMAN SENA' Referring to the split in the Shiv Sena and the loss of the party's traditional election symbol, Thackeray said, "They may have taken away our symbol, but we are Hanuman Sena." Drawing from the Ramayana, he added that Hanuman's army had burned Lanka, describing it as a symbol of courage and resistance. Thackeray also appealed to Hindus to "wake up", claiming that Lord Ram belongs to all Hindus and alleging that the community needed to be "freed from the BJP". Talking about the slogan, "Ayodhya toh jhanki hai, Kashi, Mathura abhi baaki hain", he said he was concerned about "what would happen in Kashi and Mathura" if allegations of financial wrongdoing were not addressed.
The Ram Raksha agitation comes against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The alleged irregularities surfaced in June, following which a Special Investigation Team was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government. An FIR was registered on June 25, and eight people associated with the temple's donation collection and counting process have since been arrested. The investigation is continuing. Ends With ANI inputs
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