Sena leader writes to PM Modi, demands 'Shiv Sainik in 15-member Ram Mandir trust'

Ahead of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's visit to Ayodhya on March 7, Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik on Friday has written to PM Narendra Modi asking for inclusion of a Shiv Sena member in 15-member Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Reminding PM Modi of contribution of thousands of Shiv Sainiks in Ram Janmabhoomi movement, he added that Shiv Sena Supremo Balaasaheb Thackeray had taken responsibility of destruction of Babri Masjid. A delegation of Shiv Sena leaders led by Sanjay Raut has already reached Ayodhya to make arrangements for Thackeray's visit.

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Uddhav Thackeray's Ayodhya visit

Earlier on January 22, Raut had anunced that Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya after completing 100 days of governance. Detailing his itinerary, Raut said that Thackeray along with countless Shiv Sainiks will visit Ram Lalla in afteron and will perform aarti on Sarayu riverbanks in afteron. He has also invited everyone to be a part of this historic journey, which will include senior Shiv Sena ministers, Thackeray family and senior leaders like Raut himself. Thackeray, his son Aaditya Thackeray, along with 18 party MPs visited Ayodhya in June 2019 and offered prayers at makeshift Ram Lalla temple.

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Sena's involvement in Ayodhya movement

Previously through its mouthpiece Saamana, Sena had ackwledged that Vishwa Hindu Parishad spearheaded Ram Janmabhoomi movement, but had reminded that several Hindutva outfits like Shiv Sena, Bajarang Dal were involved in it. Touting its role in demolition of Babri masjid in 1992, Saamana claimed that seeing blood of karsevaks flow in Sarayu had angered Shiv Sainiks, but had never taken political benefits of its role in Babri demolition. Sena has alleged that various members of trust, Shiv Sena alleged that all chosen members including Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Champat Rai and Nripendra Misra were all close to PM Modi or some RSS-affiliated organisation - which will benefit BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Sanjay Raut to visit Ayodhya prior to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray's visit on March 7