Uddhav Thackeray accuses BJP of abandoning Hindutva for electoral gains

Shiv Sena chief criticizes PM Modi and BJP, accusing them of abandoning Hindutva and creating animosity between communities.

Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the ‘Sougat-e-Modi’ programme on Thursday (March 27, 2025). “This is not ‘Saugat-e-Modi’, but ‘Saugat-e-Satta’ (power). Is this done only till the elections, like the Bihar elections? The BJP should now officially announce that it has abandoned Hindutva,” Mr. Thackeray said at a press conference in Mumbai.

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He said that the saffron party should remove the green colour from its flag, and also asked who will visit the houses of those Muslims who had lost their houses to ‘bulldozer action’.

“When Narendra Modi had come to Maharashtra during elections, he had spoken about ‘batenge toh katenge’ [We will be finished if we are divided]. You have spread hatred against the Muslims all your life. Modi had also asked the women in Maharashtra about who will protect their mangalsutras [the sacred necklace worn by married women]. Now, I ask him, who will protect the mangalsutras? Is this a permanent stance or is this a stance before the elections? Is the Sougat-e-Satta only till Bihar elections? BJP should officially announce that it has abandoned Hindutva,” he said.

He accused the BJP of creating animosity between the Hindus and the Muslims, and said several people had lost their lives due to the strife between the communities. “When the Muslims had voted for the Shiv Sena during elections, you called it ‘satta jihad’ [struggle for power]. What else is this?” he asked.

He was speaking about a programme launched by the BJP on the background of Ramzan where the minorities cell of the BJP is to distribute kits to the Muslim community.

The BJP hit back at Mr. Thackeray saying the criticism emanated out of frustration due to lack of future for the party. “The BJP is not against Muslims but against those who carry Pakistan’s flag here. Uddhav Thackeray cannot see a future for his party anymore. So he criticises Eknath Shinde. Mr. Thackeray should focus on growing his party base, rather than criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Devendra Fadnavis, and DCM Eknath Shinde,” he said.