A fresh controversy started over former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s straight attack on the BJP as he said there is a possibility that a Godhra-like situation may occur following the Ram temple inauguration. “The government could invite a large number of people for the Ram Temple inauguration and on their return journey, an incident similar to that in Godhra may occur,” Uddhav said bringing a massive allegation against the government.
Ram Temple is likely to be inaugurated in January 2024, before the Lok Sabha election, it is being speculated. A possible date between January 21 and January 24 is being determined for the inauguration by PM Modi.
In 2002, 59 karsevaks were killed after a coach of the Sabarmati Express was set on fire. Known as the Godhra train burning case, this triggered a massive riot in Gujarat that continued for months.
Union minister Anurag Thakur said some people have forgotten their party ideology for the greed of the power. “I don’t know what Balasaheb (late Shiv Sena founder and Uddhav Thackeray’s father) would have thought today and what Uddhav ji is doing today for the greed of power,” Anurag Thakur said as he was asked to comment on Uddhav’s statement.
The controversy comes at a time when the BJP leaders have left no stone unturned to corner the INDIA leaders over Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statement on Sanatan Dharma. Anurag Thakur also condemned Uddhav Thackeray and Rahul Gandhi’s silence over Udhayanidhi’s statement that Sanatan Dharma is like dengue and malaria and needs to be eradicated. The Sanatan row saw INDIA parties divided on whether to support Udhayanidhi’s statement or not. Uddhav’s party leader Sanjay Raut did not endorse Udhayanidhi’s statement, but Uddhav has not spoken anything on the row.
Ram temple was Balasaheb Thackeray’s dream, BJP leaders and Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde claimed again and again. But after Shiv Sena’s split from the BJP in 2019 followed by another split in the Shiv Sena by Eknath Shinde, Uddhav Thackeray has taken an aggressive stand against the BJP — as a key leader of the INDIA alliance. On the question of Hindutva, Uddhav said his father’s Hindutva was different from BJP’s Hindutva and the BJP has been trying to stake claim to Balasaheb’s legacy as they don’t have any icon of their own.
‘Prabhu Ram, give him good sense’: BJP leader says Uddhav’s statement shameful
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said Balasaheb Thackeray was very active behind Ram temple movement. “He blessed us so much and his son says all these? This alliance against PM Modi can go to any limit for votes. I can only pray to Lord Ram to give him good sense and wisdom. What Uddhav said is shameful,” Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
