Nagpur Temple Trust Bars Political Activities Ahead of Thackeray’s Ram Raksha Andolan

The trust managing the historic Ram Mandir in Nagpur’s Ram Nagar area has announced that no political programme, sloganeering, or agitation will be allowed inside the temple premises during the proposed ‘Ram Raksha Andolan’ by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on July 18. The trust, however, said devotees are welcome to recite the Ram Raksha Stotra, a Sanskrit hymn dedicated to Lord Rama.

On July 5, Uddhav Thackeray launched the state-wide ‘Ram Raksha Andolan’ in Mumbai’s Dadar with the recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, alleging embezzlement of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya. The Nagpur programme is expected to include the recitation of the Ram Raksha Stotra at the temple, but trust officials stated that the only programme detail confirmed so far is one ‘Aarti’.

Temple committee president Ravi Waghmare told The Indian Express that while no formal application has been received from Shiv Sena (UBT), MP Sanjay Raut contacted him seeking cooperation. “So far, we have not received any official letter. Sanjay Raut called me today and said they wanted to organise a programme. I told him, ‘You are Hindus, we are Hindus. You are devotees of Lord Ram and so are we. Why do you need my permission to recite the Ram Raksha Stotra? Come, offer your prayers, recite it,'” Waghmare said.

He made it clear that no political activity would be permitted. “I made it clear that this should not become a political battleground. If they hold a programme, it must be purely religious. There should be no sloganeering or political speeches. They are welcome to recite the Ram Raksha Stotra, but they should not indulge in politics inside the temple,” he said. Waghmare emphasised that the trust’s position remains the same for all parties, noting that leaders from the Congress and BJP have visited without discrimination.

Referring to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is a lifetime member of the trust, Waghmare said he is seen as a devotee, not a politician. He also recalled an instance when BJP MP Navneet Rana and MLA Ravi Rana wanted to organise a Hanuman Chalisa recital with 4,000 supporters. “They initially wanted to bring around 4,000 supporters. I told them there was no need for such a large gathering. We sat together, recited the Hanuman Chalisa and they left. There were no political slogans, no speeches and no party flags,” he said. Even the BJP’s January 22 event was held outside the temple premises.

Waghmare cited the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988, which prohibits the use of any religious institution for political propaganda or purposes. He also said that under Charity Commissioner rules, temple property cannot be used for political meetings or protests.