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Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement row and claimed that opposition parties may jointly visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Speaking to reporters, Raut alleged that those "misusing" the Ram Temple donation boxes were committing "Ram-droh" (treason against Lord Ram) and linked the issue to the alleged house arrest of Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai. "The party that commits Ram-droh by misusing the Ram Temple donation boxes is the same party playing with the future of students today. Even Ravana had many vices, but he never looted donation boxes. Those who call themselves 'Ram bhakts' have looted the Ram Temple donation boxes 66 times in recent months. Mahmud Ghaznavi looted the Somnath Temple 17 times, but BJP individuals have looted the Ram Temple in Ayodhya 66 times. This, too, must be recorded in history," Raut alleged. Claiming that Rai was prevented from visiting the temple because he intended to expose the alleged irregularities, Raut said, "I believe UP Congress President Ajay Rai was stopped because he was about to expose this alleged corruption and looting of the Ram Mandir donation boxes. The BJP has looted the temple at least 70 times. I consider this scam to be both treason against the nation and treason against Lord Ram." Raut further said he had spoken to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and suggested that leaders of Opposition parties should jointly visit the Ram Temple. "Yesterday, we spoke with Uddhav Thackeray ji. We believe we should also visit the Ram Temple. We will speak with Rahul Gandhi ji as well. All opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, and Arvind Kejriwal, should visit the Ram Temple together," he said. Emphasizing that the Ram Temple belongs to all devotees, Raut said, "Is the Ram Temple anyone's ancestral property? Our blood was spilled for the Ram Temple too; our people also made sacrifices. I was personally part of the Ram Mandir movement... There is only one owner of Ayodhya--Lord Ram. If Ajay Rai was stopped, on what grounds was he stopped? If this continues, we will march to Ayodhya with all Opposition leaders. Ram belongs to everyone; He belongs to the entire nation." (ANI)
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