Shiv Sena firebrand Sanjay Nirupam turned up the heat in Mumbai on Thursday, decrying leaders who haven’t set foot in Ayodhya’s Ram Temple two years after its divine inauguration. A beacon of hope for India’s Hindu populace after arduous legal and societal campaigns, the temple’s snub by these politicians reeks of cynical vote-chasing, Nirupam asserted, calling it pathetically comical.
While upholding India’s commitment to secular values and interfaith harmony, Nirupam warned against trampling majority sentiments. ‘You can’t claim piety and then sideline the faith of crores,’ he remarked, capturing the irony plaguing opposition circles.
Nirupam paid homage to the Shankaracharyas, with special mention of Swami Avimukteshwaranand, whose support graced Maharashtra’s elevation of the cow to ‘Rajmata’ status—a nod shared with Eknath Shinde. He addressed the Prayagraj mishap during Mouni Amavasya’s massive pilgrim influx, faulting law enforcement lapses but insisting on due reverence for holy men.
The spotlight then fell on I-PAC’s deepening imbroglio. Nirupam hailed recent uncovers as ‘shockingly revelatory.’ This consultancy powerhouse, peddling electoral blueprints and candidate endorsements to rival parties for fat paychecks, was raided by ED earlier—a move politicized as partisan aggression.
Breaking news: A Rs 13 crore loan from a non-existent Haryana entity. ‘Classic money laundering tactic—black to white,’ Nirupam thundered. He called for ED and PMLA to dismantle the operation, scrutinizing all involved. In an era of opaque political funding, this could herald a crackdown, reshaping consultancy’s role in democracy.