Maharashtra: Now, seers endorse MNS chief Raj Thackeray's Hindutva

One of the seers suggested that the MNS think of joining forces with the BJP if they have a common ideology. File pic

As the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) debate original Hindutva, some senior seers have brought Raj Thackeray, the new torch-bearer of the saffron agenda his cousin is accused of abandoning, to the fore, saying the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief will help the efforts of turning the country into a Hindu Rashtra.

Guru Maa Sadhvi Kanchangiri and Jagatguru Suryacharya, who are associated with an akhada in Ayodhya, visited Thackeray at his Dadar residence on Monday. They visited late Balasaheb Thackeray's Shivaji Park memorial before sharing thoughts with Raj. Kanchangiri has been propagating the concept of Hindu Rashtra across the country with political and religious leaders and has visited the Indian diaspora in Europe and elsewhere.

"We discussed Hindu Rashtra. We also discussed the issue of north Indians. Raj does not hate north Indian migrants. He says that the state governments should give their people jobs so that they don't go to other places," said Kanchangiri, assuring the migrants no
harm from the MNS chief who she said ‘loved north Indians'.

Suryacharya said the Indians of various faiths trace their origin to their ancestors who were Hindu. The seers have invited Raj to Ayodhya. The tour may happen in December.

Kanchangiri suggested that the MNS think of joining forces with the BJP if they have a common ideology. Interestingly, the two parties came together in some places in the local body by-polls recently. There could be a similar arrangement in the next year's local polls.

A day before visiting Raj, Kanchangiri had criticised Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. "I don't want to talk about Uddhav Thackeray. He has spoilt his father's name. Balasaheb would do what he spoke. He was Hinduvadi and roared like a lion while speaking for Hindus. Raj will fulfil Balasaheb's dream," she said, further adding, "Uddhav has joined hands with Muslims. He shut his eyes and ears when Hindu sadhus were killed in Palghar."