MVA censures BJP, MNS for raising Babri, loudspeakers
MUMBAI: A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) targeted Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the ruling alliance on Monday said the Babri Masjid demolition and the use of loudspeakers at religious places were raised to divert attention from the serious issues plaguing the country. It also alleged that attempts were made to create communal tension in Maharashtra.
Attacking Sena on Hindutva, leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said he was present in Ayodhya when the Babri structure was brought down in 1992 while there was no sign of any Sena leader. Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Monday said, “If somebody is asking where Sena was when Babri [Masjid] was demolished, then they should ask their leader Sundar Singh Bhandari or check the reports of CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] of that time. Then these ignorant people will know where Sena was and what it did.”
“The [Babri] issue has ended, why is it being raked again? Ram Mandir is under construction; the times have changed; and the atmosphere is different today. In an attempt to divert attention from the main issues, BJP and its hidden allies are trying to highlight these issues, but people will not fall for it,” Raut said.
Later in the day, Raut tweeted a video clip of an interview of BJP leader LK Advani where he had referred to “people speaking Marathi” on the disputed structure in 1992. The Sena leader also posted newspaper cuttings following the incident.
Attacking Fadnavis, Sena leader and environment minister Aaditya Thackeray taunted that the BJP leader also contributed to the uprising of 1857. “He has made immense contribution to the 1857 mutiny. Instead of going into all these controversies, it is important to see that the Ram temple is being built. Sena raised the issue of Ram temple again, following which the supreme court order came. Political parties must speak on inflation and unemployment.”
In a veiled attack on his uncle Raj, Aaditya said, “The MVA government is working to light the stoves in the homes of people, while some political parties are trying to set houses on fire. People are smart, they know what is happening.”
BJP leader and former state minister Ashish Shelar dubbed Raut’s claim that he was present when Babri Masjid was demolished childish. Shelar claimed that the entire movement was planned by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bajrang Dal, and BJP.
“Can he show a photograph or even a non-cognisable offence registered against him? We would not say anything about honourable Balasaheb Thackeray, but it was a systematic and strategic movement by workers of BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal, and other organisations. The people who have been claiming the credit were nowhere on the scene. The Liberhan Commission had recorded the statements of police officers and other officials over the entire episode. History cannot be changed,” he said.
Raut, meanwhile, dismissed fears of a law-and-order situation as MNS chief Raj Thackeray remained firm on his demand that the state government remove loudspeakers on religious structures by May 3.
“The country has bigger issues than loudspeakers. The people of the country are aware of who is providing power to these loudspeakers in Maharashtra,” Raut said, hinting at a tacit understanding between MNS and BJP.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said they would not allow “dictatorship”. “Maharashtra is the land of law, and no one’s ultimatum or dictatorship would be tolerated. If someone believes this will happen if he says so, then we won’t make that happen, whoever he is, even if he is Ajit Pawar.”
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the Constitution had granted the right to everyone to practise their faith, and if anyone was trying to create obstacles to it, the state government must act against them. “There are attempts to create religious instability in the state to stall its development.”
The [Babri] issue has ended, why is it being raked again? SANJAY RAUT, Sena leader