Uddhav Ram Raksha stir on Fadnavis turf: Temple Trust says welcome, but keep political sandals out Days before Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray planned to hold his Ram Raksha Andolan in Nagpur, the event faced immediate controversy on the turf of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The scheduled protest, set for July 18, encountered its first obstacle when the Shri Ram Mandir in Ramnagar, a site closely associated with Fadnavis as a life member of its management body, refused to permit the political gathering on its premises. The temple trust emphasized that its premises would only host religious activities, rejecting any attempt to frame the event as a political protest. Temple Trust president Ravi Waghmare addressed reporters, stating that while the Uddhav Thackeray Bharti (UBT) had not formally sought permission for the event, the trust would not allow political agitation within its boundaries. “Chant Ram Raksha, chant Hanuman Chalisa—every devotee can do this,” Waghmare said. “But this is not a political arena. That’s why we have never allowed any party to hold a political agitation here.” He added, “CM Fadnavis is our life member. But we won’t allow even BJP to hold an agitation here. You should take off your political sandals and come inside the temple.” The UBT’s response was combative. Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, speaking in Mumbai, questioned how reciting Ram Raksha could be considered political. “We have not yet sought permission,” he said, adding, “There’s no need for anyone’s nod for Ram Raksha ‘pathan’. CM Fadnavis should support this.” The UBT spokesperson, when pressed further, challenged the temple trust’s authority, stating, “Who has stopped us, and since when? Which temple are you even talking about? I will go to Nagpur on Tuesday.#devendra_fadnavis #sanjay_raut #uddhav_thackeray_bharti #shri_ram_mandir #ravi_waghmare
