27 June,2026 03:36 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday criticised the BJP and the Hindu organisation Sakal Hindu Samaj, alleging that they have remained silent over the alleged financial irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the NEET-UG paper leak case while frequently mobilising protests on other issues related to Hindutva.
The criticism was made in an editorial published in the party's mouthpiece Saamana, which questioned why organisations that actively campaign on issues such as religious conversions, cow slaughter and "Love Jihad" had not publicly protested over the alleged irregularities involving people linked to their ideological camp.
The editorial alleged that the selective response reflected a double standard in raising issues of public concern.
Referring to the alleged irregularities involving donations and valuables at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the editorial accused the Sakal Hindu Samaj of remaining silent despite the registration of criminal cases.
"The Sakal Hindu Samaj is sleeping like Kumbhakarna." It further remarked, "while a restless Lord Ram and his family have, once again, departed for exile."
The editorial referred to the recent investigation into the alleged theft of donations, collection boxes and silver items at the temple and claimed that while a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had registered cases against eight individuals, the principal accused had not faced similar action.
The editorial also referred to previous allegations concerning land transactions related to the Ram Temple Trust.
"In Ayodhya, individuals linked to the temple and the BJP bought lands at throwaway prices and later sold them back to the Ram Mandir Trust at inflated rates. AAP MP Sanjay Singh provided evidence to the SIT, but it wasn't investigated. Now, minor figures like Tinnu Yadav and Anukalp Mishra have been arrested by the UP government," said the editorial.
It further questioned why organisations that frequently raise issues concerning Hindutva had not protested over the alleged irregularities.
"Should someone spread a rumour that Tinnu and Mishra are actually Muslims operating under fake Hindu names just to wake up the Sakal Hindu Samaj?" the editorial asked.
According to the party, the organisations had remained silent because the accused were Hindus.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) also linked its criticism to the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case, claiming that Maharashtra had emerged as one of the centres of the investigation.
The editorial alleged that several accused in the case had ideological links with the BJP and Hindutva organisations and questioned why no public protests had been organised over the issue.
According to the party, the alleged examination scam had affected the future of thousands of students and warranted the same level of public outrage shown on other issues.
The editorial also referred to other issues, including remarks attributed to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari regarding cattle slaughter and alleged financial irregularities at the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain.
According to the Shiv Sena (UBT), these issues had also failed to evoke protests from organisations that regularly campaign on religious matters.
Concluding its criticism, the editorial argued that the Ram Temple movement had played a significant role in shaping contemporary Hindutva politics but alleged that irregularities at the temple had not received comparable attention from organisations that claim to defend Hindu interests.
(With inputs from IANS)
