“Massacres will take place”, Uddhav Thackrey warns of another ‘Godhra’

In a politically charged speech on Monday, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, Uddhav Thackrey has warned of a ‘Godhra-like incident’, after the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh, months ahead of the all-important Lok Sabha election of 2024.

At an event in Jalgaon, Uddhav Thackrey stated that innocent people will be used as collateral for political gains by the BJP.  Uddhav Thackrey stated that there is a possibility that many ‘Hindus’ will be called to the inauguration, and on their way back home in trains and buses, a Godhra-like incident can be carried out by the ruling BJP government. “This can happen, attack can happen. In some colonies they will burn buses; throw stones... massacres will take place. The country will be on fire again... and they will bake their political bread on these flames," said the Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief.

In February 2002, coaches of the Sabarmati Express were set ablaze at Gujarat’s Godhra Railway Station leaving over 50 people dead and several injured. The Godhra carnage triggered a chain of arson, protests, riots, and killings. The Ram Temple construction is in full swing after the Supreme Court settled a legal battle in 2019 and paved the way for its construction

Uddhav Thackrey’s statement has garnered the ire of several BJP leaders. Hitting back at the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, “I don't know what Balasaheb would have thought... what is Uddhavji doing? Is it for the greed of power?” Reflective of a similar genre of thought, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant hit back at Thackrey, he said, “I don't know why Thackeray has any apprehension regarding inauguration of Ram temple. You ask him."