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Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has chosen a symbolic path in response to not being invited to the inauguration of the Ramjanambhoomi temple in Ayodhya on January 22 by the Sangh Parivar. Thackeray announced plans to offer prayers at the Kalaram temple in Nashik’s Panchavati locality and lead a ‘maha aarti’ on the banks of the Godavari river on the same day.
The Kalaram temple holds significant historical importance for millions of Dalits due to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s temple entry agitation there. Dr. Ambedkar led a movement protesting the denial of temple access to Dalits by upper-caste Hindus. This agitation reached its pinnacle when Dr. Ambedkar led a large group of Dalits for a forced entry into the temple on March 2, 1930, with noted social reformer Sane Guruji playing a pivotal role in securing Dalit entry.
Thackeray expressed, “The consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is a matter of pride and self-respect for Hindus. On that day (January 22), we will visit the Kalaram temple at 6.30 pm, where Dr. Ambedkar and Sane Guruji staged protests. At 7.30 pm, we will hold a ‘maha aarti’ on the banks of the Godavari.”
The Kalaram temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, houses an idol carved out of black stone. Legend suggests that Lord Ram, accompanied by Sita and Lakshman, stayed in Panchavati during their exile. Thackeray’s decision to visit the Kalaram temple during the Ayodhya inauguration subtly conveys his strong Hindu roots while aligning himself as a leader who holds the concerns of Dalits close.
This move signifies a broader message: Thackeray’s assertion that Lord Ram belongs to all and his intention to visit Ayodhya at the right time. His party, the Shiv Sena, has previously claimed a significant role in the movement for the Ramjanambhoomi temple’s liberation, with spokesperson Sanjay Raut suggesting the party’s involvement in the Babri Masjid’s demolition.
Despite the lack of an invitation to the Ayodhya event, Thackeray’s plans to commemorate his father and Shiv Sena founder, the late Bal Thackeray’s birth anniversary with a massive rally in Nashik on January 23, underscores his commitment to marking significant occasions within his party’s history.
While some in the BJP believe Thackeray should have been invited despite their strained relations, Thackeray’s strategic move to visit the Kalaram temple on a day of historical significance resonates as a statement of his inclusive leadership approach and deep-rooted connection to both Hindu and Dalit sentiments.
