Uddhav Thackeray, the Chief Minister of the tri-party alliance government in Maharashtra, is all set to visit Ayodhya on 7th March, the day when his government will complete 100 days. But the sadhus and saints from the city are not happy over his visit, as he has allied with ‘secular’ parties in order to grab the CM chair. The recent announcement by NCP minister to give 5 percent quota to Muslims also did not go well with the Hindu saint community.
Mahant Raj Das said the Shiv Sena has departed from the path of Hindutva by announcing 5 percent reservation to Muslim community of the state. “Uddhav Thackeray should visit Mecca-Medina not Ayodhya; if he comes to Ayodhya, we will show black flags in protest,” said Mahant Paramhans Das.
The saint community is fuming over anti-Hindu decisions taken by Uddhav Thackeray government in the last few months. Previously, it was reported that Uddhav Thackeray government is likely to reverse the cow protection scheme in the state of Maharashtra- Govardhan Govansh Seva Kendra (GGSK).
The scheme was launched by the Sena-BJP coalition government after a beef ban came into effect. The cow protection scheme was intended to bolster infrastructure at gaushalas (cow sheds) in the state. The scheme aimed to conserve, protect and develop cattle and their progeny.
TOI has quoted Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Minister and Congress leader, Sunil Kedar as saying, “We have not reached any conclusions yet. The department has been asked to review the scheme and prepare a report on how much funds have been spent, the impact of the scheme and other details.”
The Uddhav Thackeray led party compromised on the issues of Marathi Manus (son of the soil plank) and Hindutva, to ally with NCP-Congress. This has infuriated many younger party workers, who left the party after the alliance government was formed. Balasaheb Thackeray, the patriarch of Shiv Sena, built the party on these core issues, and the party’s alliance with BJP was also on Hindutva grounds. But, the ‘political advisors’ like Sanjay Raut managed to convince Uddhav Thackeray to trade off the ideology for the CM chair.
Uddhav Thackeray has none of the traits of a popular politician, and therefore he is playing second fiddle to Pawar family members, despite contributing the maximum number of seats in the alliance. He has been made titular head of state, a de jure leader, put on the chair only to sign on the decisions taken by alliance partners. The plight of Shiv Sena could be witnessed in the portfolio distribution of ministries, where all the significant posts went to NCP.
Under his watch, the Shiv Sena was sparring only with the Congress over the manner in which the grand old party was repeatedly insulting Veer Savarkar- the larger than life Hindutva icon.
It is obvious that the saint community is not happy over the repeated insult of Hindutva icons and Hindu ideals under the alliance government in Maharashtra. Through visit to Ayodhya on 100th day of the government, Uddhav is trying to reclaim the Hindutva ideology, which is now being claimed by his younger cousin Raj Thackeray, who changed the party flag to all saffron and changed the style of addressing the rallies. However, given the pressure of ‘secular parties’ in the alliance, the Uddhav government is forced to take a few decisions which harms the interest of Hindus and on which saint community is fuming.
