06 July,2026 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday at “Ram Raksha” campaign in Dadar. Pics/Shadab Khan
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday launched a "Ram Raksha" campaign and declared it was time for a "BJP-mukt Ram", accusing the ruling party of remaining silent over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. Addressing party workers outside Dadar railway station, Thackeray said Lord Ram belonged to the entire nation and not to any political party, and demanded an impartial probe into the alleged donation theft.
According to Shiv Sena (UBT), reports of alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir surfaced in June. The issue has since triggered a political row, although the UP government has already constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations.
Invoking Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav recalled the slogan "Garv Se Kaho Hum Hindu Hain", saying it was raised at a time when few openly spoke about Hindutva. Claiming the BJP was silent over the Ram Mandir donation controversy, he declared: "Ab Hindu maaf nahi karega."
Making "BJP-mukt Ram" the central theme of his speech, Thackeray said the BJP had tried to appropriate Lord Ram politically but had failed to answer questions over the alleged donation theft. "Ram does not belong to any political party. Ram belongs to the entire nation." He said, "We will not keep quiet till an impartial inquiry is conducted in the donation theft. We will fight till the case is taken to a logical end."
CM Devendra Fadnavis dismissed Thackeray's criticism and turned the attack back on Shiv Sena (UBT). "Uddhav Thackeray should chant Ram Raksha every day. Shiv Sena (UBT) is in this position because it gave up Ram. It is good that they are back to the issue."
