Mumbai — Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena (Uddhav) Thackeray sparked a political tussle on Saturday after he denounced the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a rally outside the historic Hanuman temple in Mumbai. Thackeray recited the “Hanuman Stotra,” “Hanuman Chalisa” and “Ram Raksha Stotra,” then accused the BJP of being linked to the recent theft of idols from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
In response, a senior BJP spokesperson labeled Thackeray’s rally “Abandoned Ram’s Path,” suggesting the Shiv Sena leader was exploiting religious sentiment for political gain. The party also warned that “false accusations will not be tolerated” and reiterated its commitment to protecting religious heritage sites.
The controversy follows a high‑profile theft of several ancient idols from the Ayodhya Ram Temple in early May, an incident that has drawn nationwide media attention and prompted calls for a swift police probe. While local police have not publicly identified suspects, the investigation remains ongoing.
The BJP’s retort was delivered at a press conference in New Delhi, where party officials emphasized that the theft investigation is being handled by law‑enforcement agencies and that any attempt to politicise the incident would be “counter‑productive.”
Thackeray’s statements were made to a crowd of several hundred supporters gathered outside the Hanuman temple, a site that draws devotees from across the city. He urged “the nation to stand united against those who loot our heritage” and called for “strict action against the culprits.”
Analysis:
The exchange underscores the deepening fault line between Maharashtra’s coalition government and the central BJP, with both sides invoking religious symbolism to rally support. Thackeray’s use of devotional verses signals an attempt to frame the theft as a communal affront, while the BJP’s “Abandoned Ram’s Path” label seeks to portray the opposition as opportunistic. The episode also highlights the political sensitivity surrounding the Ayodhya temple, a cornerstone of the BJP’s Hindutva narrative, and suggests that any perceived misstep in handling the theft could have electoral ramifications ahead of the 2026 state elections.
Sources
NDTV, “BJP Retort on Uddhav Thackeray’s Temple Theft Barbs: ‘Abandoned Ram’s Path’,” https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-retort-on-uddhav-thackerays-temple-theft-barbs-abandoned-rams-path-11730758.
Story synopsis gathered from: NDTV – India News — source
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