Was the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Balasaheb Thackeray’s Dream?

Mumbai, Aug 5 (NationPress) On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Bhoomi Pujan for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde stated that the temple’s establishment was a deeply held aspiration of party founder Balasaheb Thackeray, and its completion is a source of great pride for the nation.

Hegde remarked that this day holds both historical and spiritual importance.

In an interview with IANS, he expressed, “The Bhoomi Pujan of the Ram Mandir is a proud moment for all of India. Many notable figures, including dignitaries, sants, actors, athletes, and leaders from various faiths, were present during the ceremony, alongside the Prime Minister. Unfortunately, it is disheartening that Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav have yet to pay a visit to Ram Lalla.

He also drew comparisons between the behavior of certain DMK leaders and what he termed as attacks on Sanatan Dharma, reiterating that the construction of the Ram Mandir was a vision long held by Balasaheb Thackeray.

“Witnessing that vision come to fruition today brings immense pride to every Shiv Sainik,” he stated.

The Shiv Sena spokesperson also commented on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that allows the Maharashtra Election Commission to proceed with local body elections under the new ward delimitation, which includes a 27 percent reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

“The Supreme Court has clarified that elections for local self-governing bodies will proceed with the 27 percent OBC reservation. This was the original intent of the Mahayuti government. The court has instructed the Election Commission to finalize preparations for the electoral process within four weeks. All political factions must cooperate to ensure a seamless process,” Hegde added.

Additionally, he addressed the Election Commission’s announcement of the draft electoral roll for Bihar on August 1, part of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR)—the first such initiative since 2003.

“The Election Commission bears the responsibility of facilitating fair and transparent elections. They have affirmed that citizens may register for the voter list by August 1. It is also essential to ensure that no eligible voter is overlooked, while also removing names of those who have deceased or relocated. The priority should be to maintain an accurate and updated voter list,” he added.

Hegde also addressed the current international trade tensions after US President Donald Trump announced plans to significantly increase tariffs on India within the next 24 hours, following the announcement of a 25 percent levy starting August 7.

“The US has imposed a 25 percent tariff on India for purchasing oil from Russia, while they and the European Union continue to trade with Russia without any restrictions. This appears to be a conspiracy aimed at hindering India’s economic progress. The positive takeaway is that both the Opposition and the government stand united on this issue. I hope the US will lift the tariffs soon, allowing for a resolution through dialogue. Trade with Russia must continue in our national interest,” he concluded.