Mumbai, May 8 (IANS) The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Friday criticised the Maharashtra government for not inviting the opposition and others to the ‘Dharmadhvaja’ (religious flag) hoisting event at the historic Shri Kalaram Temple in Nashik.

The party said that a grand ceremony to hoist the ‘Dharmadhvaja’ (religious flag) was held at the historic Shri Kalaram Temple in Maharashtra’s Nashik on Wednesday, marking a precursor to next year’s Simhastha Kumbh Mela. However, it felt less like a religious festival and more like a political showcase for the BJP and was seen as a partisan event rather than a collective celebration of faith.

The Thackeray camp in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, editorial said that the Kalaram Temple is a cornerstone of Indian social history. It was here, on March 2, 1930, that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar led a historic Satyagraha to secure temple entry for Dalits — a fight not just for access, but against untouchability and social inequality. While that struggle successfully established the temple as a symbol of national unity, it reiterated that Wednesday’s ceremony reduced that inclusive pride to a partisan affair.

The editorial said that the event was attended by high-profile figures, including former President Ram Nath Kovind, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other cabinet ministers. However, no invitations were extended to the current generations of the families of Dr Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule, or Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. Despite their role in awakening Hindutva in Maharashtra, the family of late Balasaheb Thackeray was reportedly not invited. Involving leaders from the Congress, NCP, and other parties would have better reflected the “Sakal Hindu Samaj” (entire Hindu community) and national spirit, added the editorial.

According to the editorial, the ceremony took place against a backdrop of significant state investment and social unrest. ”While Rs 35,000 crore has been allocated for the Kumbh Mela, fears persist that a large portion of these funds may be diverted to contractors from outside the state rather than serving the holy cause. The BJP has become a ‘gathering’ of corruption under the guise of religion. The irony of celebrating a flag symbolising protection and restraint while Maharashtra faces a rise in farmer suicides and heinous crimes against women and children,” claimed the editorial.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena said the newly hoisted Dharmadhvaja features the image of Lord Hanuman and the ‘Om’ symbol. Historically, the religious flag has inspired bravery and sacrifice against invaders, remaining steadfast even when temples were destroyed during the era of Aurangzeb. It also represents restraint and the protection of the people.

“While the recent ceremony at Kalaram Temple was completed with the hoisting of the grand flag, the spirit of “Sakal Hindu Samaj” (the entire Hindu community) and the inclusive “National” sentiment were missing from the shadows of the flagstaff. Despite the political friction, the flag itself continues to receive the respectful salutations of the public as a symbol of faith,” it noted.

–IANS

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