14 July,2026 08:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis hits back at Uddhav Thackeray (File pic)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday dubbed Uddhav Thackeray a "frustrated person" whose political relevance has diminished, making light of the Ram Raksha recital protest announced by the Shiv Sena (UBT) president.
He said that staging an agitation without knowledge of Ram Raksha (a Sanskrit hymn of praise dedicated to Lord Ram) is not appropriate, according to PTI.
CM Fadnavis while addressing the media, also added, "Uddhavji should first learn how to recite the Ram Raksha stotra. He should at least read two pages of Ram Raksha. If he is prepared, I am ready to recite the Ram Raksha along with him."
He said Uddhav Thackeray is a "frustrated person whose political relevance has diminished. Such statements stemmed from frustration," as cited by PTI.
Uddhav Thackeray had backed the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janta Party and activist Sonam Wangchuk in Delhi.
Addressing the media in Mumbai on Monday, Thackeray said that he was prepared to visit Delhi, if required, to support the protest led by Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). At the same time, he urged the ruling government not to view the agitation through a political lens but as a movement by the youth against a system that is jeopardising the future and careers of lakhs of students.
Following Uddhav's remarks, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction for announcing its support for activist Sonam Wangchuk's protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, accusing it of attempting to create instability in the country, news agency IANS reported.
Thackeray also urged all political parties to support the CJP-led protest "without any political flag" and said even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should join the agitation, asserting that the movement transcends politics and is about safeguarding the future of students affected by repeated examination paper leaks and irregularities.
He had also targeted the BJP over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
After six MPs of Sena (UBT) crossed over to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Thackeray had targeted Fadnavis, saying the real target of "Operation Tiger" was Fadnavis and it was aimed at clipping his wings.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
