Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced on Saturday that his party would perform a 'Maha Aarti' at Nashik's Shree Kalaram Temple on January 22, the day of the Ayodhya temple consecration ceremony. The former chief minister of Maharashtra also said they invited President Droupadi Murmu to the event. "We will hold a special Godatiri Pooja at the Shree Kalaram Temple in Panchvati, Nashik. We have humbly and respectfully invited the President to grace the event," said Thackeray.
Thackeray also demanded that the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya be performed by President Droupadi Murmu, stating it's a matter of 'national pride and country's self-respect.'
Talking about the Somnath temple in Gujarat, Thackeray said that after Gujarat's Somnath temple was restored, the formal restoration ceremony was held by the country's first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad. "Since this (Ayodhya Ram temple) is a matter of national pride and is related to the country's self-respect, the consecration ceremony should be held by President Murmu," Thackeray added.
On Friday, a delegation representing the Ram Temple Trust called on President Murmu and formally invited her to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.
Thackeray had previously stated that on January 22, he and his party leaders would visit the traditional Kalaram temple in Nashik and perform 'Maha Aarti' on the banks of the Godavari River.
"After the prayers at the Shree Kalaram Temple, the party would hold a massive public rally in Nashik that day, said the Shiv Sena (UBT) President.
On Friday, SS (UBT) MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut criticised PM Modi for visiting the Kalaram Temple in Nashik. Raut stated that the Prime Minister's initial schedule did not mention the temple's visit; however, it was included after Shiv Sena (UBT) announced their visit on January 22.
"Narendra Modi is in Nashik Today. His initial plan did not include a visit to the Kalaram Temple. But when we (Shiv Sena [UBT]) announced the pooja in Kalaram Temple on January 22, they planned PM's visit to Kalaram Temple," Raut said.
On asking if he would attend Lord Ram's 'Pran Pratistha' in Ayodhya, Thackeray responded, "I'll go to pray at the Ayodhya Temple at the appropriate time... Lord Ram is not someone's private property... We ask the Centre to invite the President to perform the temple's Pran Pratistha ceremonies on January 22."
Thackeray said Shiv Sainiks, who was part of the 'Kar Seva' in 1992, will also be felicitated in Nashik. Additionally, he said that he is a committed Hindu, a staunch supporter of Hindutva, and a 'desh-bhakt' (patriot), but not a 'andh-bhakt' (blind follower).
