Shiv Sena (UBT) seeks sacking of Narayan Rane from Union cabinet over remarks on Shankaracharyas
Mumbai, Jan 14: The Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded the dismissal of Union minister Narayan Rane from the Narendra Modi cabinet for questioning the "contribution" of Shankaracharyas to the Hindu religion.
The Uddhav Thacerkay-led party also sought a public apology from the BJP ahead of the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya over Rane's comments.
Shiv Sena (UBT) ally Congress staged a protest at the party office in Mumbai against Rane on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday in Palghar, Rane had said the Shankaracharyas should bless the Ram Temple instead of criticising some aspects and accused them of looking at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP through a "political prism".
"No one could do it until now. Modi and the BJP took it up and a temple is being built. Should they bless the temple or criticise it? It means Shankaracharyas look at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP through a political prism. This temple is not built on politics but on religion. Ram is our God," Rane said.
"Shankaracharyas should tell what is their contribution to the Hindu religion," he had said.
Addressing a rally on Saturday night, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said the BJP should issue a public apology ahead of the consecration of the Ram temple for the "derogatory" remarks made by Rane against Shankaracharyas. He also demanded that the BJP expel Rane from the party.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Rane had insulted Hinduism by questioning the contribution of the Shankaracharyas.
"The BJP must apologise before January 22 (when the idol consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple will take place in Ayodhya). We demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sack Rane from the Union cabinet," Raut said.
Supriya Sule, working president of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, said it was for the BJP to respond to Rane's comments.
On Friday, VHP working president Alok Kumar said two of the four Shankaracharyas have "openly welcomed" the upcoming consecration ceremony, but none of them would attend the grand event to be held in Ayodhya.
They will visit the Ram temple later "as per their convenience", he told PTI.
The opposition parties have been targeting the BJP over reports of respective Shankaracharyas of Shri Shringeri Sharda Peeth Karnataka, Dwarka Sharda Peeth in Gujarat, Jyotir Peeth in Uttarakhand and Govardhan Peeth in Odisha deciding not to attend the consecration ceremony.
Jyotirpeeth Sankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati had reportedly said it would not be right to perform a consecration ceremony at this stage as the construction is yet to be completed.
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Klaasen, Kishan power SRH to 33-run win, top spot
Hyderabad (PTI): Heinrich Klaasen (69) and Ishan Kishan (55) made Punjab Kings pay dearly for their sloppy fielding, powering Sunrisers Hyderabad to a handsome 41-run win to jump to the top of the table in the IPL, here on Wednesday.
The duo helped in setting a challenging total of 235 for 4 after Punjab Kings opted to bowl.
In reply, Punjab Kings were restricted to 202 for seven to succumb to their third loss on the trot and slipped to second spot.
Cooper Connolly waged a lone battle for PBKS with a brilliant 107 not out from 59 balls (7x4, 8x6) but lacked support from the other end.
For SRH, Pat Cummins (2/34) and Shivang Kumar (2/45) were the main wicket takers.
Earlier, dropped on nine, Klaasen capitalised to smash three fours and four sixes in his 43-ball knock.
Kishan, who survived two reprieves -- a dropped catch and a missed stumping -- struck a brisk 32-ball 55, including two fours and four sixes.
For Punjab Kings, Yuzvendra Chahal was the most economical, returning 1/32, but endured a frustrating outing as all the dropped chances and the missed stumping came off his bowling.
Brief Scores
Sunrisers Hyderabad 235 for 4 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 69, Ishan Kishan 55; Yuzvendra Chahal 1/32). Punjab Kings (Cooper Connolly 107 not out; Pat Cummins 2/34, Shivang Kumar 2/45). SRH won by 33 runs.
