Even as the Shiv Sena has welcomed Narendra Modi’s “toilet before temple” remark, it also took potshots at the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, saying that he said “Jai Jairam” instead of “Jai Shriram”. The Shiv Sena has said that both Mr Modi and Jairam Ramesh should take the same stand against illegal mosques and madrasas also, and build schools and toilets in place of such illegal structures. “Mr Modi proposed a courageous thought about ‘toilets before temple’ while addressing students in Delhi. It is surprising that the Congress is criticising him over that. Congress getting touchy about Hindus and temples is like a butcher worrying about cattle a few days ago, Mr Ramesh had spoken about the need to give priority to toilets over temples. So, Mr Modi is actually following Mr Ramesh. Congress should undertake a drive to build toilets and make Mr Modi its brand ambassador,” the edit published in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana said. The Shiv Sena has also taken a dig at its alliance partner BJP by claiming that the party went into a tizzy after Mr Modi’s comments, as it had earlier criticised Mr Ramesh. The party further pointed out that Hidutvavadi people had gone to the extent of throwing urine filled bottles at Mr Ramesh’s house. However, taking a stand on the issue, the Shiv Sena is of the view that the opinion expressed by Mr Modi and Mr Ramesh is correct. “We need toilets and we also need temples. But that does not mean that anybody is allowed to build a temple wherever he wants. Today, there are more illegal mosques and madrasas than illegal temples. Had Mr Modi and Mr Ramesh spoken about starting schools and toilets in place of these illegal structures, that would have sent the real message of secularism,” the edit said. The saffron party has also expressed its confidence that such a move to raze illegal shrines will make Hindus as well as Muslims happy. The edit added that Shiv Sena had also criticised Mr Ramesh then, but that criticism was over his singling out Hindu temples, and not his stand that toilets should be given priority over shrines. Further, taking potshots at the Congress party, the Saamana edits said, “Congressmen can argue that when their government has left people hungry, where is the need for toilets ”
