PM's Photos On Dustbins In Arab Nations Due To BJP's 'Tinpot Spokespersons': CM Uddhav Thackeray

Speaking at a rally in Aurangabad, Thackeray said BJP and its spokespersons brought disgrace to the country, referring to the row over remarks against Prophet Mohammed.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray (Source: ANI)

New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, speaking on the row over remarks against Prophet Mohammed, said on Wednesday that India had been subjected to great humiliation owing to BJP's 'tinpot spokespersons' and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photos were plastered on dustbins in some Arab countries, IANS reported.

Speaking at a rally in Aurangabad, Thackeray said BJP and its spokespersons brought disgrace to the country.

"Why did they need to make comments on the Prophet Mohammed? Just as our gods are dear to us, they also revere their gods...Why should you show hatred towards any other religions...India is now facing protests in all Muslim countries and the PM's photos are stuck on garbage bins, bringing shame to the country," Thackeray said.

India has faced backlash from Arab countries due to controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad made by its leader Nupur Sharma in a TV debate. Nupur Sharma has now been suspended from the party.

Amid the ongoing row over Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, Uddhav praised Mohan Bhagwat after the RSS Chief said that efforts should not be made to find Shivling under every mosque. "We welcome RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent statement on 'Shivling'," said Uddhav.

Addressing the concluding ceremony of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's third-year officer training camp, Bhagwat said, "Now the issue of Gyanvapi mosque (in Varanasi) is going on. There is history, that we cannot change. That history is not made by us, nor by today's Hindus or Muslims. It happened at the time when Islam came to India with the invaders. During the invasion, temples were destroyed to weaken the fortitude of the people wanting freedom. There are thousands of such temples," he said.

Replying to the BJP's barrage of criticism of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress, Thackeray said it was "unfortunate".

"Those whom we trusted and made them sit in our laps for 25-30 years are now our enemies.... Those against whom we fought for so many years are today our friends, they respect us and have joined hands strongly for the state's progress," Thackeray said.

"It is because of this frustration at losing power in 2019 that the Centre is targetting MVA leaders with central agencies like ED or CBI," the Shiv Sena chief said. He also dared the BJP to deploy these investigative arms in Jammu and Kashmir where the Kashmiri Pandits are being forced to leave their home again.

(With inputs from agencies)