Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Wednesday, 1 July launched a sharp broadside against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of practising a hollow brand of patriotism and Hindutva, through an editorial published in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamana'. The Thackeray camp invoked the figure of Ravana to argue that the BJP's Hindu credentials were performative rather than principled.

The 'Saamana' Editorial: Core Charges

The editorial drew a provocative comparison, asserting that unlike the BJP, Ravana — traditionally cast as a villain in Hindu texts — was 'not a hypocritical Hindu and did not rob the donation boxes of Ram temples.' The party argued that if citizens feel no outrage at what it described as the looting of Lord Ram, the theft of national territory, and the undermining of democracy and the Constitution, then 'even a 13th avatar of Vishnu will not be able to save this country.' The editorial characterised the current moment as the 'extreme apex of the Kali Yuga, where selfishness, immorality, and corruption have been normalised.'

Ram Mandir Donations Row

The Thackeray faction linked its critique to reports of alleged theft of gold and donations from the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a controversy that has drawn nationwide attention. The editorial alleged that the prime suspects in the donations theft were being shielded, while police investigations have reportedly focused on peripheral individuals. The party claimed that those responsible 'enjoy the full protection of the BJP,' though it did not produce independent evidence for this assertion.

China Incursions in Arunachal Pradesh

The editorial widened its attack to encompass what it described as China's encroachment into Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh. According to the party, the indigenous 'Nah' tribal community living along the border of Upper Subansiri district has stated that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has taken control of land in the Taksing revenue area of Subansiri, violating the international border. The Thackeray camp alleged that despite repeated protests by local communities, neither the Centre nor the defence establishment has responded adequately.

The editorial drew a pointed contrast: 'While Bangladeshi infiltrators is turned into a major election issue in West Bengal, China's incursions into Arunachal and Ladakh are tolerated silently. This exposes severe vulnerabilities in India's defence framework.' The party also referenced the case of activist Sonam Wangchuk, alleging that when he raised concerns about Chinese intrusion in Ladakh, the central government labelled him a traitor and detained him.

Attack on PM Modi and Defence Minister

The Thackeray-led party alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have remained silent on the reported Chinese land-grab in Arunachal, even as the Prime Minister was on a foreign tour. 'Even Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has failed to offer an official clarification on the matter,' the editorial stated. It further alleged that the BJP's daily focus on 'breaking opposition parties and poaching MLAs and MPs' — which it brands as national service — leaves no room for confronting China's territorial ambitions.

The editorial revisited the Galwan Valley clash, noting that 20 Indian jawans were killed in the confrontation with Chinese forces, yet no retaliatory operation was launched. 'Those who speak aggressively against Pakistan and Bangladesh surrender before China's military might,' the party said.

BJP Yet to Respond

As of the time of publication, the BJP had not issued an official response to the Saamana editorial. The allegations — spanning the Ram Mandir donations controversy, the Arunachal border situation, and the Galwan Valley episode — are likely to sharpen the political divide between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the ruling Mahayuti alliance ahead of upcoming electoral cycles in Maharashtra.