Trimbakeshwar temple: Raj Thackeray questions SIT investigation

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has questioned the Maharashtra government’s decision to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe an alleged attempt by a group of Muslims to enter the Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik, stating that these traditions were examples of syncretism and need to be continued.

“If it is an age-old tradition it is pointless to put a stop on it. This is an issue of the people of Trimbakeshwar.  There are hundreds of mandirs and masjids in Maharashtra where you see such syncretism,” he said in a press conference in Nashik.

“These are traditions that need to be continued. Our religion is not so weak that it will get corrupted if a person from another religion enters a temple. I have gone to various masjids. In fact it is in some of our temples that people from a certain caste are only allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum. People who are hyping this issue I feel their outlook towards religion is rather constricted,” he added.