Ram Mandir donation row: Uddhav Thackeray to lead Ram Raksha Movement in Maharashtra`s Nagpur on July 18

The movement, scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 pm. Pic/ X

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray will participate in the ‘Ram Raksha Movement’ in Nagpur on July 18, as part of the party’s campaign against what it calls the “betrayal of Lord Ram.”

The movement, scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 pm, is expected to see participation from Shiv Sena (UBT) workers and supporters. The party has been raising concerns over alleged irregularities related to Ram Temple donations and has launched the campaign across Maharashtra.

The Nagpur event holds political significance as the city is home to the RSS headquarters and is considered an important ideological centre in Maharashtra politics.

Uddhav Thackeray launches ‘Ram Raksha’ campaign in Mumbai, calls for ‘BJP-mukt Ram’

Last week, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a “Ram Raksha” campaign and declared it was time for a “BJP-mukt Ram”, accusing the ruling party of remaining silent over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.

Addressing party workers outside Dadar railway station, Thackeray said Lord Ram belonged to the entire nation and not to any political party, and demanded an impartial probe into the alleged donation theft.

According to Shiv Sena (UBT), reports of alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir surfaced in June. The issue has since triggered a political row, although the UP government has already constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations.

Invoking Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav recalled the slogan “Garv Se Kaho Hum Hindu Hain”, saying it was raised at a time when few openly spoke about Hindutva. Claiming the BJP was silent over the Ram Mandir donation controversy, he declared: “Ab Hindu maaf nahi karega.”

Making “BJP-mukt Ram” the central theme of his speech, Thackeray said the BJP had tried to appropriate Lord Ram politically but had failed to answer questions over the alleged donation theft. “Ram does not belong to any political party. Ram belongs to the entire nation.” He said, “We will not keep quiet till an impartial inquiry is conducted in the donation theft. We will fight till the case is taken to a logical end.”