Uddhav Thackeray Warns of Potential Violence at Ram Temple Inauguration; BJP Reacts Strongly

Uddhav Thackeray, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has issued a warning about a potential “Godhra-like incident” occurring in connection with the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The temple is scheduled to be inaugurated in January, just months before the Lok Sabha elections, and is expected to draw tens of thousands of Hindu devotees from across the country.

Mr. Thackeray’s accusation against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been strongly criticized by senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. Prasad reminded his former ally that Balasaheb Thackeray, the late founder of the Shiv Sena, had expressed support for the Ram temple movement and suggested that he would pray to Lord Ram for wisdom for the opposition leader.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also condemned Mr. Thackeray’s statement.

During an event in Jalgaon, Uddhav Thackeray mentioned the possibility of Hindus being transported from various parts of the country in buses and trains to attend the temple inauguration and raised concerns about potential incidents resembling the Godhra tragedy occurring on their way back.

He stated, “This can happen; an attack can happen. In some neighborhoods, buses may be set on fire, stones may be thrown, and massacres may occur. The country may once again be engulfed in violence, and some politicians may exploit this chaos for their own gain.”

In February 2002, the Godhra Railway Station in Gujarat witnessed a horrific incident in which at least 58 people were killed when some coaches of the Sabarmati Express were set on fire. This event led to widespread protests and riots, and years later, a local court convicted 31 people (with 63 released). Appeals against these convictions, which were upheld by the Gujarat High Court, are currently pending before the Supreme Court.

The temple’s inauguration, which is being constructed on land claimed by both Hindus and Muslims but awarded to the former by a landmark Supreme Court verdict in 2019, will take place just months before the 2024 general election. The BJP, which has championed the construction of the temple, will seek an unprecedented third term in power during this election.

Ravi Shankar Prasad expressed his disbelief, suggesting that Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray’s late father, might be questioning what had happened to his child. He pointed out that Balasaheb had supported the Ram Janmbhoomi movement and expressed concerns about the opposition alliance’s actions against Prime Minister Modi for political gain.

Mr. Thakur, when asked for his response, criticized the Maharashtra politician for his perceived greediness and shifted the conversation to the ongoing controversy surrounding Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks about ‘Sanatan Dharma’.