Saturday, May 18

‘Ram Mandir Is Matter Of Faith Not Politics, Who Came After 2014 Doesn’t Know History’: Shiva Sena MP

Edited by Hiba Anvar

Shiva Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stirred up a controversy on Wednesday by asserting that Ram temple is not a matter of politics but of faith, indicating at BJP’s move to gain electoral votes by using it as a trump card for the next Lok Sabha election.

While speaking to ANI, he said, “Ram temple is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of faith, identity and reverence.” He then denoting the ruling party, BJP said that the one who came after 2014 doesn’t not know about the history. He alleged that the party has neither been a part of freedom struggle nor of any major movement, thus they will not understand the struggle they had endured for Ram Mandir.

“We are not fugitives from Hindutva, we stood firm in the field and fought till the end”, the Shiva Sena MP added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the MP made a similar remark regarding the participation in the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram temple which is scheduled to be held next month. Sanjay said that there was no need for an invitation for the party chief Uddhav Thackery to visit Ayodhya for the ceremony as Shiva Sena has an old association with the UP town, unlike BJP.

Mr Raut then claimed that it’s Shiva Sena under Bal Thackery leadership pulled down Babri Masjid in 1992, reports NDTV. He then added that Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Ashok Singhal used to hold meetings at Matoshree, the residence of the Thackerays in Mumbai while the BJP was never there at that time.