MUMBAI: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday received the invitation from the Ram Mandir Trust for the Ram temple consecration at Ayodhya on January 22. Shinde was given the invitation by RSS and VHP office bearers and handed over the invitation at CM Shinde’s residence in Thane. Officials said CM Shinde has accepted the invitation and will attend the Ram temple inauguration in Ayodhya on January 22.
There has already been a spat between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the BJP over the invitation to the Ram temple inauguration with Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray not getting an invitation for opening. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that BJP won’t invite Uddhav, for the same reasons why they haven’t invited senior BJP leader LK Advani. Raut said that those who had contributed to the Ram Mandir struggle were not invited but those who have nothing to do with the Ram Mandir struggle are celebrating and this is their event.
With no invitation for the opening of the Ram Temple Uddhav has announced that he will perform a Maha Aarti on the banks of the Godavari in Nashik and visit Kala Ram temple at Panchavati where Lord Ram is said to have lived during his exile. On January 23, the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray, the Sena (UBT) will also sound its poll bugle with a camp and rally in Nashik.
Uddhav said that January 22 was an auspicious day as the Ram temple opening was taking place in Ayodhya after a 30-year struggle. Uddhav said on the same day would visit the Kalaram temple where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Sane Guruji had staged a satyagraha in 1930 to give Dalits access to temples.
“It’s moment of joy as the Ram temple is being inaugurated on January 22 in Ayodhya after a struggle of 25-30 years…so..on the same day, we will take darshan of Lord Ram at the Kalaram temple in Nashik. This is the same temple for which Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Sane Guruji had to struggle to allow entry (for Dalits)..Ram belongs to everyone,” Uddhav said after paying tributes to his mother Meenatai Thackeray in at Shivaji Park on Saturday.
“I do not want to get into who’s invited and who’s not or who is going or not going ..for the Ram mandir opening …because it is a matter of pride and faith for us. We are glad the Ram Mandir is opening but I have been requesting for several days that it should remain a matter of faith and not take any political colour. We will go to Ayodhya whenever we wish to,” Uddhav said.
There has already been a spat between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the BJP over the invitation to the Ram temple inauguration with Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray not getting an invitation for opening. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that BJP won’t invite Uddhav, for the same reasons why they haven’t invited senior BJP leader LK Advani. Raut said that those who had contributed to the Ram Mandir struggle were not invited but those who have nothing to do with the Ram Mandir struggle are celebrating and this is their event.
With no invitation for the opening of the Ram Temple Uddhav has announced that he will perform a Maha Aarti on the banks of the Godavari in Nashik and visit Kala Ram temple at Panchavati where Lord Ram is said to have lived during his exile. On January 23, the birth anniversary of Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray, the Sena (UBT) will also sound its poll bugle with a camp and rally in Nashik.
Uddhav said that January 22 was an auspicious day as the Ram temple opening was taking place in Ayodhya after a 30-year struggle. Uddhav said on the same day would visit the Kalaram temple where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Sane Guruji had staged a satyagraha in 1930 to give Dalits access to temples.
“It’s moment of joy as the Ram temple is being inaugurated on January 22 in Ayodhya after a struggle of 25-30 years…so..on the same day, we will take darshan of Lord Ram at the Kalaram temple in Nashik. This is the same temple for which Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Sane Guruji had to struggle to allow entry (for Dalits)..Ram belongs to everyone,” Uddhav said after paying tributes to his mother Meenatai Thackeray in at Shivaji Park on Saturday.
“I do not want to get into who’s invited and who’s not or who is going or not going ..for the Ram mandir opening …because it is a matter of pride and faith for us. We are glad the Ram Mandir is opening but I have been requesting for several days that it should remain a matter of faith and not take any political colour. We will go to Ayodhya whenever we wish to,” Uddhav said.