Mumbai, December 15 (IANS). A new controversy has emerged regarding the famous Hanuman temple located near Dadar Railway East Station in Mumbai. The Central Railway Administration has issued a notice to the Temple Trust saying that this temple is built illegally, because this land belongs to the Railways. After this notice, a period of political rhetoric has started. Amidst this controversy, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray has reached the temple to perform the aarti of Hanuman ji.
Even before Aditya Thackeray reached the temple, supporters of Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray faction had gathered outside the temple. At the same time, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also reached Hanuman temple to have darshan and seek blessings of Hanuman ji. Uddhav Thackeray’s supporters present outside the temple started opposing Kirit Somaiya. As the crowd grew, the police took out Kirit Somaiya from there under heavy security cover.
IANS spoke to Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters present outside the temple. Sufi Mohammad Sheikh said that Kirit Somaiya was opposed because he was doing politics during the election season. He made the temple a part of politics and made false statements against the Thackeray family. Sheikh said that when Somaiya had gone to the temple for darshan, he should have avoided politics and taken blessings by bowing his head, but he gave the opposite statement, which increased the protest.
Another supporter said that there was no need for Kirit Somaiya and his party BJP to come to the temple. This temple is 80 years old and we will not let it be removed under any circumstances. This entire controversy is an election drama because Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections are near. He claimed that he would never compromise with the ideology of Uddhav Thackeray and Aditya Thackeray and was ready to sacrifice his life to protect the temple.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said that only BJP is making this controversy a matter of politics, whereas for them it is a matter of identity and reverence. He alleged that BJP has always been doing politics in the name of Hindutva. Sawant said that this temple is 80 years old and the railway notice is not a normal issue. This notice has been given by the Central Government department, which talks about Hindutva.
Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey said that no person or government can go against Hanuman ji and Hindutva. No one has any standing in front of the powers of Hanuman ji. Those who rise up against them have met a tragic end in history. Dubey supported the steps taken by the Thackeray family and said that his party has never left Hindutva but has left the BJP. He said that the opposition has wrongly accused him of taking action against those who recite Hanuman Chalisa. He also said that the Thackeray family will always run under the flag of Hindutva and no conspiracy against God and his devotion can succeed.
–IANS
PSK/AKJ
