'Don't Know What Balasaheb Would Have Thought': Anurag Thakur After Uddhav Thackeray Speaks Of 'Godhra-Like' Incident

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, Uddhav Thackeray, on 10 September, expressed apprehension of a "Godhra-like" incident occurring during the return journey of the devotees anticipated to gather in Ayodhya for the grand inauguration of the Ram Temple. The inauguration is scheduled to happen in January 2024.

The term "Godhra-like" refers to the incident in which an entire coach of a train carrying 'Karsevaks' was burnt while the Sabarmati Express was at the Godhra station in Gujarat on February 27, 2002. The Karsevaks were returning from Ayodhya. 59 devotees were killed in the attack.

"It is a possibility that the government could invite a large number of people for the Ram Temple inauguration in buses and trucks, and on their return journey, an incident similar to that in Godhra may occur", said Uddhav Thackeray.

Uddhav's remarks were heavily criticised by leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"I don't know what Balasaheb would have thought today and what Uddhav ji is doing today for the greed of power", said Union Minister Anurag Thakur.

"All I would like to say is that this entire alliance is standing against PM Modi and can go to any limit for votes. I would like to pray to Lord Ram to give them some wisdom. This is a shameful and indecent remark. We condemn this", said BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP, Ravi Shankar Prasad.