Why were you silent on Siddhivinayak loot? Eknath Shinde blasts Uddhav in assembly

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of remaining silent on alleged irregularities involving donations at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple while defending the UP government's handling of the donation theft incident in Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Speaking in the Assembly, Shinde strongly condemned the incidents reported at the Ayodhya temple, saying they had deeply hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees across the country. He asserted that those responsible would face strict legal action and said both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were committed to ensuring accountability.

"No one can support or justify what happened at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. It has deeply pained and hurt the sentiments of millions of Ram devotees across the nation," Shinde said. "A rigorous investigation is underway and strict action is being taken. PM Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath will not spare anyone involved and will ensure that those responsible are sent to prison."

The Deputy Chief Minister then turned his criticism towards the opposition, particularly former chief minister Thackeray and his party, questioning their record on issues related to temples.

Holding up documents in the House, Shinde alleged that there had been mismanagement and irregularities involving donation boxes at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple during the previous administration. He asked why no action or inquiry had been initiated at the time.

"When your political associates were caught looting the donation boxes of the Siddhivinayak Temple, why did you not order a probe back then?" Shinde said. "I have documented proof showing the mismanagement that occurred under your watch."

Escalating his attack, the Shiv Sena leader accused the opposition of selectively invoking Hindutva while remaining silent on issues that he claimed were important to Hindu sentiments. He cited the Palghar sadhu lynching case, alleged associations with leaders who criticised Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar and accusations of tolerating objectionable symbols and flags during election campaigns.

"Is looting temple funds your version of Hindutva?" Shinde asked. "Sitting with those who insult Veer Savarkar, diluting Balasaheb Thackeray's ideals, remaining silent when sadhus were killed and allowing Pakistan flags to be waved during elections for vote-bank politics, do you call this Hindutva?"

The remarks came amid a heated political exchange between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition over the Ayodhya temple security lapse, with both sides trading accusations over governance, law and order and ideological commitments.

Severe discrepancies in the handling of donation money and valuables at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple recently came to light, triggering a major controversy. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the alleged theft of donations and several individuals have been arrested. The management of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has also come under scrutiny as the investigation progresses.

- Ends