Mumbai (Maharashtra): Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday extended an invitation to President Droupadi Murmu to pray at the historic Kalaram Temple in Nashik. He also hinted that she "will not be treated as just another one among the crowd," a subtle jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to preside over the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
"Our plans to visit the Kalaram Temple in Nashik and offer prayers on January 22 have already been publicised. The consecration ceremony at Ayodhya should be led by the President, is our wish. But we don't want to get involved in politics, so when we worship at the Kalaram Temple in Nashik, we want the President to visit," Thackeray told reporters.
"My party has sent President Murmu an invitation letter and individual invitations will also be sent by Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs to the President," Thackeray said. He also noted that the late President Rajendra Prasad presided at the Somnath Temple's consecration ceremony.
"We'll make sure the President's dignity and etiquette are preserved when she visits Nashik. She won't be regarded like just another person among the crowd. When she offers the prayers, we won't even be in the picture," he added.
Thackeray explained the significance of the Nashik-Panchavati region, where Lord Ram lived during his exile in a letter to President Murmu. "We are confident that you will accept our invitation and it will be a thing of celebration for 140 crore Indians as well as make tribals and Sanatani Hindus proud", the letter read.
In response to a question regarding four Shankaracharyas turning down offers to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, Thackeray stated that they had brought up specific concerns in accordance with Shastras. "Since I am not an expert, I am not getting into it," he said.
Meanwhile, taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi without naming him, Thackeray said, "The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee was inaugurated, but it nowhere had Atalji's pictures. I hope that Ayodhya's Ram Temple will have the photos of Lord Ram and nothing additional," he said.
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