Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray gave it back to BJP over their attempts to dilute his party’s Hindutva credentials amid row over azaan and hanuman chalisa and the use of loudspeakers. Tagging the BJP “bell-ringing Hindutvawadis” he said, “If you want to chant Hanuman Chalisa, do it… But if you do Dadagiri, then we know how to break it up… We will show you what Bheema Roop and Maha Rudra is if you challenge the Shiv Sena… Our Hindutva is as strong as Gadadhari Hanuman”.
“For the last few days, they (the BJP) have been screaming that the Shiv Sena has left Hindutva. What have we left? Is Hindutva a dhoti? That we put it on and take it off? We must remember one thing. Those who are lecturing us on Hindutva must ask themselves what they have done for Hindutva,” said the Chief Minister whose party ended the 30-year alliance with the BJP in 2019.
“When the Babri Masjid was brought down, you ran into your hole. The decision to build the Ram Temple was not from your government but from the court. And when it was built you went with a jhola to the people. Where is your Hindutva?” he said.
Invoking his late father and a Hindutva icon, the Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, the Chief Minister said, ” The Hindutva that the Shiv Sena Supremo has taught us, that is still there in the minds of all these Shiv Sainiks who have heard him. His Hindutva was that he did not want Hindus who were ringing bells at temples. He said he wanted Hindus who take on extremists.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Director General of Police has issued instructions to strictly enforce the law and Supreme Court guidelines on loudspeakers. As per Supreme Court guidelines, the use of loudspeakers is not allowed from 10 pm to 6 am.
