Babri masjid demolition remark: Uddhav Thackeray demands resignation of Chandrakant Patil

Uddhav Thackeray press conference Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

When Babri Masjid was demolished, all the rats were in burrows, stated Uddhav Thackeray in a press conference on Tuesday, April 11. During the conference, Uddhav demanded the resignation of Maharashtra's higher education minister Chandrakant Patil.

Speaking at the press conference, Thackeray further stated that, at that time, Balasaheb accepted the responsibility. Now, they are coming out of the burrow one by one.

"BJP never had courage. Shiv Sainiks also fought on the streets during the Mumbai riots. On one side, Mohan Bhagwat goes to the mosque. Now going to promote through Qawwali," said Uddhav.

Also Read: ‘It's textbook repeat of 1949 in Babri Masjid'

Chandrakant Patil has claimed that Balasaheb Thackeray or Shiv Sena had nothing to do with the Babri demolition.

Reacting to Chandrakant Patil's controversial claim about Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray said, "CM Eknath Shinde should take the resignation of Chandrakant Patil, over his statement. It is an insult to Balasaheb. If CM Shinde cannot take Patil's resignation, then CM should give his resignation."

Uddhav further added that the BJP is conspiring to erase the significance of Balasaheb. "They should not use Balasaheb's photo," added Uddhav.

The former CM said his party's Hindutva is "nationalism" and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should explain what is its Hindutva.

Senior BJP leader Patil, who is the minister of higher and technical education in the Eknath Shinde government, on Monday said not a single worker of the Shiv Sena was near the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya when it was brought down by the Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini on December 6, 1992.

Incidentally, Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray has often been quoted as saying he was proud if any of his Sainiks took part in the demolition of the disputed structure.

Patil on Monday said Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut keeps talking about the Babri Masjid demolition, and wondered if the latter was even there at the temple town in Uttar Pradesh at the time.

The late Shiv Sena founder was not the property of anyone and was someone who was hugely respected by the people, Patil said.

"Balasaheb is the property of all Hindus and everyone is free to use his name (legacy)," the BJP leader had said.

The Shiv Sena split after a rebellion in June last year by Shinde, who got the party name and 'bow and arrow' symbol, while Uddhav Thackeray's faction was christened Shiv Sena (UBT) with a flaming torch as its symbol.

(with inputs from PTI)