The Shiv Sena on Wednesday claimed credit for the start of the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodya, by saying that the development meant the realisation of dream nursed by late Sena chief Bal Thackeray, “who had openly said that he was proud all those Shiv Sainiks who had pulled down the Babri Masjid" and whose crusade for the Lord Ram’s temple had come to fruition.
Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray put out a tweet claiming credit for the Ram Mandir. His tweet accompanied an image put out by the Shiv Sena that showed photographs of Lord Rama, late Bal Thackeray and current Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray—with the proposed Ram Mandir in the backdrop, and carried a caption “Shubharambh Ramarajyacha, Shubharambh Swapnapurticha” ( State of Ramarajaya and realisation of a dream).
“The Bhoomi Puja of the temple of Hindus’ revered God Lord Ram has taken place. Today is the day of the completion of a dream nursed by late Balasaheb Thackeray. Today’s is the most happy occasion for all of us. I would like to convey my heart-felt congratulations to all of you,” Aaditya tweeted.
Earlier in the day, in a strongly worded editorial in its official mouth-piece “Saamana”, the Shiv Sena made no bones displeasure over the lack of invitation for the Ram Mandir Bhoomi.
“BJP leader Kalyan Singh sacrificed his government, he was not there on the dais. We expected him to be there in the invitees’ list. Veteran BJP leader L K Advani and late Bal Thackeray lit the light of Hindutva in the country. They sent a message to the country that no one can rule the country by ignoring the claims of the majority Hindus. Being secular does not mean you can lean towards only one religion”.
The Shiv Sena, in its editorial, recalled late Thackeray statement who had lauded the Shiv Sainiks who had participated in the demolition of Babri Masjid, by saying: “Babri padli, ti padnarya Shiv Sainikancha mala abhiman ahe” (I am proud of the Shiv Sainiks who razed Babri Masjid). “Ram Mandir is the result of a movement, sacrifices made and bloodshed by Hindus. The Prime Minister may have performed the bhoomi puja at Ayodya, but those forgetting the smell of Kar Sevaks sacrifice emanating from the soil of Ram Janmabhoomi would have to be termed as Ram drohiis. With this Bhoomi Puja of Ram Mandir, please end the politics over it. That would be the wishes of Lord Ram. But, that is the unanimous opinion of people in the country”.
Taking a swipe at the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for trying to hog limelight over the Bhoomi Puja of Ram Mandir, the Sena editorial said: “The bhoomi puja is a celebration for the country and for all Hindus, but it has now become personality-centric and party-centric”.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said: “The
Bhumi Pujan of Ram temple at Ayodhya made the dream of many generations come true. It was a matter of great providence to be witness to this momentous event”.
Speaking at Anandotsav event organized at BJP state office on the occasion of Ram Mandir Bhumi Puja, Fadnavis said: “Lord Ramchandra is the presiding deity of the country. Lord Ramchandra, who awakened the humane qualities of the common man and defeated the demonic forces, also showed how to govern an ideal state. I consider myself lucky to be able to experience it with my own eyes”
Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Dada Patil, national joint organisational secretary V. Satish, State Organisational Secretary Vijayrao Puranik, former Minister Vinod Tawde, Ashish Shelar and others were also present on the occasion.
At the event organised at the State BJP headquarters in south Mumbai on the occasion of Ram Mandir’s Bhoomi Puja at Ayodhya, the BJP leaders offered prayers to the portrait of lord Rama and took part in a bhajan.
