Sanjay Raut invites Devendra Fadnavis, Mohan Bhagwat to ‘Ramraksha’ campaign: ‘It’s our duty and dharma’ | Today’s news
Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has invited Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to attend UBT’s ‘Ramraksha’ campaign in Nagpur on July 18.
He said the Shiv Sena (UBT) has launched a nationwide campaign to protect the sanctity of Lord Ram and raise public awareness regarding the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
“How can this be a political joke?”
Hailing from the opposition camp, Raut explained why he invited ruling party leader and CM Devendra Fadnavis, Bhagwat and other prominent figures associated with Hindutva to the event.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, including Nitesh Rane and Sandeep Joshi, who called the invitation a “political joke”, Raut said the chief minister represents the entire state and not just one party.
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“Not at all. How can this be a political joke? The Chief Minister of the state does not belong to just one party, he represents the whole of Maharashtra,” he said.
Speaking to the media in Nagpur, Raut said, “This is not a wedding invitation. A wedding invitation is different. We are organizing a religious activity, a Hindutva program near his residence.”
“As the chief minister of the state, we have invited him (Fadnavis). Moreover, as a devotee of Lord Ram and because of his involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, we have invited him to participate in our Ramraksha movement,” Raut said, according to ANI.
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Raut added that he had a long relationship with Fadnavis.
“I have worked with Devendra Fadnavis much longer than they have. Though we have parted ways now, I have worked continuously for 25 years with the BJP and Devendra ji. Therefore, it is simply stupid for them to react in such a manner,” he said.
At the invitation of Mohan Bhagwat
In his letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Raut said that inviting Sarsangchalak was a matter of respect and responsibility, especially as the program was held in Nagpur, the RSS headquarters.
“Nagpur is the headquarters of the RSS. In that sense, Nagpur is like a sub-capital or even the capital of Hindutva. We have always held Sarsangchalak in high esteem,” he said.
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“Despite occasional differences of opinion, Sarsangchalak has always remained a figure who had the utmost respect for us. It is our duty and responsibility to invite him as we are organizing a big Hindutva event and Shiv Sena UBT President Uddhav Thackeray is participating in it. Therefore, inviting Sarsangchalak Mohan was our duty,” said Bhagdharmaut ji.
“Ramraksha” campaign.
In his letter to Bhagwat, Sanjay Raut referred to the alleged embezzlement of ornaments at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and claimed that the incident hurt the faith of Hindus.
“The RSS has expressed grief over the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. However, no action has been taken against the prime accused in the temple theft case,” Raut wrote in the letter.
“The theft incident in Ayodhya has deeply wounded the faith and confidence of Hindus. It is necessary to re-unite and energize the Hindu society,” he added.
Inviting Bhagwat to the program, Raut said, “To awaken Hindus against the Ram Temple theft case, Shiv Sena has launched ‘Ramraksha’ campaign across the state. The second phase of this campaign is being held in Nagpur and we invite you to participate in it.”
The program is scheduled to be held on July 18 at 4:30 pm at Ram Mandir, Ramnagar, Nagpur, in the presence of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
