Ayodhya Temple Donation Row: Uddhav Announces "Ram Raksha" Protest in Mumbai
Ayodhya Temple Donation Row: Uddhav Announces "Ram Raksha" Protest in Mumbai
Shiv Sena (UBT) to launch "Ram Raksha" agitation in Maharashtra from July 5, demanding accountability from BJP over alleged Ayodhya temple fund embezzlement. Opposition demands probe!
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has announced a "Ram Raksha" agitation across Maharashtra starting July 5. The protest aims to hold the BJP accountable for alleged large-scale embezzlement of donations made to the revered Ayodhya Ram Temple. Thackeray urged agitated citizens to join the movement, which will kick off with a gathering at the Hanuman temple in Dadar, central Mumbai, where participants will recite the "Hanuman Stotra" and "Hanuman Chalisa."
Thackeray explicitly challenged the BJP to take responsibility for what he termed "theft" at the Ram temple. He highlighted that many Hindus, including members of the undivided Shiv Sena, endured significant hardships during the Ram temple movement – from atrocities on "karsevaks" to the Godhra train burning, Ahmedabad riots, and Mumbai serial bomb blasts. He accused the BJP of politically capitalizing on these events and now enjoying "unchecked power" while public issues face "chaos" and "indifference."
The former Maharashtra chief minister also raised pointed questions regarding the alleged misuse of funds, suggesting that the stolen money might have been used to poach opposition leaders, asking if the ruling party was carrying out an "Operation Ram Mandir." This accusation comes amidst allegations circulating on social media and in the public domain about the financial irregularities.
Meanwhile, other opposition parties have also intensified their attack. The Congress party, through K.C. Venugopal, has questioned Prime Minister Modi's "silence" on the matter, calling it a reflection of BJP's "double standards" and "moral failure." The Congress has urged the Prime Minister to order a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the "chanda chori mega scandal," dismissing the Uttar Pradesh government's SIT investigation as an "eyewash" and alleging complicity of top officials.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal echoed these sentiments, claiming that powerful individuals involved in land deals and temple construction are being shielded, while only "minor figures" have been arrested. Eight accused in the Ram Temple donation case have reportedly been sent to 14 days of judicial custody, but opposition parties believe the investigation needs to go much deeper to uncover the "big fish" behind the alleged scam.
