BJP playing politics of religion, planning riots on Ram temple issue: Raj Thackeray
Thackeray alleged that the BJP was planning on causing riots around Ram Temple issue with the help of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (Picture Courtesy: India Live)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing the politics of religion and alleged that it was planning to stage riots on Ram Temple issue.
While addressing a gathering at Vikhroli, Thackeray said, “The current government has no issue to talk about right now, so they are
trying to create differences between the Hindus and Muslims in order to get votes.”
Thackeray said with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the Central government may cause riots around the Ram Temple issue.
“I got a call from Delhi informing me that the Centre was planning some riots in the name of Ram Temple issue and it is seeking help from Asaduddin Owaisi,” he said.
“I think it is very serious. The Union government has no substantial work to show in its four-and-a-half-year-long rule. They do not have any option but to instigate communal riots,” he alleged.
Further remarking on the Ram Temple, he said while he was in support of the idea, he did not mind if it was built after the elections.
“I had said that the Ram Temple should be built, but I am not rigid about it being built before the elections. I will not mind if it is constructed post elections,” he claimed.
Thackeray also came out in support of the statement he gave on Sunday in which he had asserted that youth from Maharashtra should be given priority if there is any job opportunity in the state and not the north Indian community and migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
“What I said is true, these are the real problems of Maharashtra. The state is pressurised because of migrants. The unemployment in
the state is increasing and this is a matter of concern,” said the MNS chief.
Responding to Thackeray’s statement, AIMIM MLA from Mumbai, Waris Pathan asked police to initiate action against the MNS chief.
“The Mumbai police should take Thackeray into custody. If he has such crucial information, then he should share the details with the police,” he said.
Pathan accused Thackeray of creating panic among people and threatening them from a public platform. Police should take appropriate steps against the MNS chief, he said.
