Uddhav Thackeray, 'Our Hindutva lights stoves in houses; BJP's Hindutva burns houses'

Uddhav Thackeray/ PTI

With the blatant promotion of Hindutva being on the rise for many political parties, some parties like the Shiv Sena provide their take on the ideology. Differentiating between the Hindutva of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra's former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday claimed that their brand of Hindutva "lights the stoves" in people's homes while the BJP's Hindutva "burns their homes."

Per an ANI report, Uddhav addressed a gathering in Mumbai stating, "There is a vast difference between the Hindutva of the BJP and ours. Our Hindutva lights stoves in houses, but the BJP's Hindutva burns houses," He went on to say that the Prime Minister was appealing to the Supreme Court to provide "legal equality" for all people and applying pressure to the court. He allegedly also used the Election Commission of India against Uddhav's party. "Our bow and arrow were snatched away. You (PM Modi) took away my party, my symbol, and my men, but you still fear Uddhav Thackeray?" he said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also brought up the government report claiming the Muslim population had increased in the country.

"Narendra Modi has been the Prime Minister of this country for the past decade, he should clarify if this increase in the Muslim population is his achievement or failure. We are all confused if we should appreciate or criticise him for the increase in Muslim population in the country in the past 10 years," he told ANI.

While letting all his frustration out, Uddhav also added how the BJP government has snatched all the powers from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "Kejriwal got bail, everyone knows, the Modi government snatched all the powers of Kejriwal. Modi ji's drama will go on till 4th June. After June 4, he will not be known as Prime Minister Narendra Modi but just Narendra Modi," he said.

Earlier on April 29, the prime minister made a subtle jab at Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), claiming that Maharashtra has long suffered from a "Bhatakti Atma" that has caused political unrest in the region and rifts within his own family and party.

"You say whatever comes to your mind, 'you said that why Rahul Gandhi stopped speaking against Adani and Ambani because he collected a tempo-full of money'. Modi ji, you are the Prime Minister. What were your ED, income tax department and CBI doing when tempos stashed with cash were moving? Were they busy with the traitors? If PM Modi had the input about it, the agencies should have acted on it. The PM should have acted on the black money, which he claims has gone from Ambani and Adani to Congress," Uddhav said expressing his views on the remarks of PM Modi on Rahul Gandhi's cessation of mentioning Ambani-Adani in his speeches.

Expressing his opinion on Section 370, Uddhav said it was not the BJP government who did away with it, but it had been put on hold to allow businessman Gautam Adani to buy mass land consisting of unexplored lithium and squeeze out any revenue before taking the business to Gujarat. In addition, Thackeray questioned the use of the lathi charge, accusing the police of carrying out all the abuses because of "a phone call from the top," shooting pellets and bullets at Manoj Jarange, a reservation campaigner, and the villagers.

In addition, he requested the Prime Minister to cease playing politics in the name of Muslims and Hindus and to maintain his composure. "Prime Minister, the language you are using is inappropriate for the position; your nation's reputation is being damaged nationwide." Modi, please maintain composure. Apply some of Baba Ramdev's Patanjali oil to your head and perform Kapal Bharti. Get some rest. Just don't start ruining my nation right now. Giving the leadership of the nation to individuals like them is unacceptable, he declared, whenever the BJP only talks about Muslims and Hindus.

Uddhav Thackeray's visible vexation will be answered in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections taking on May 13. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

(With Inputs from ANI)