Saving temple is no crime, says Shiv Sena on attack by MP

Shiv Sena on Saturday defended its Aurangabad MP Chandrakant Khaire, who allegedly roughed up and abused a civic official for demolishing a temple as per court orders.

Civic official Ramesh Mundlod, who based on the high court orders, led a demolition drive including that of illegal temples in a suburb of Aurangabad, was allegedly abused and roughed up by Mr Khaire recently.

“When Mr Khaire tried to question the official for demolishing the temple which was not causing any traffic hindrance, he was painted a culprit,” an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

“Is it a crime to save Hindu temples in this state ,” the Sena said.“The court order to demolish certain temples was issued during Congress regime. It is misfortune of the Hindus that it is being implemented during the Mr Fadnavis-led regime,” the edit said.

Mr Khaire had termed the official, “Aurangzeb’s progeny” and asked him why he was not demolishing “Muslim buildings” instead. While showering a litany of abuses, Mr Khaire also allegedly pushed and abused the official.

In a bizarre justification, Mr Khaire had said that if he had not hurled those abuses, the angry mob would have killed the official.

“The mob was about to kill the official who had holed up in his car after what he had done, I saved him... We are here to defend Hindus,” he said.