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This is an archive article published on August 4, 2024

Uddhav targets BJP: Those who ate Pak PM’s cake teaching us Hindutva

Uddhav Thackeray also took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Uddhav Thackeray, Thackeray targets BJP, Hindutva, Amit Shah, Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali, Marathas, Third Battle of Panipat, Shiv Sena, Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan, Hindutva, Indian express newsShiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray at a party rally in Pune on Saturday. (Express Photo)

Calling Union Home Minister Amit Shah the “political heir of Ahmad Shah Abdali”, the Afghan ruler who defeated the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday targeted the BJP, saying those who went “all the way to Pakistan to eat the birthday cake” of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif “should not teach us Hindutva”.

“A few days ago, the political heir of Ahmad Shah Abdali had come to Pune. Who is he? He was Amit Shah… He said Sena has given up Hindutva. Why should we give up Hindutva? Those who went all the way to Pakistan to eat the birthday cake of its Prime Minister, should not teach us what Hindutva is,” Thackeray said Saturday at the ‘Shiv Sankalp’ rally in Pune city. He was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled visit to Lahore on December 25, 2015 — the day Sharif turned 66.

“If Shah is going to associate me with Aurangzeb fan club and Aurangzeb, then I will also not stop from calling him Ahmad Shah Abdali,” Shah said. Several top Sena leaders, including Sanjay Raut and Aditya Thackeray, were present.

Quoting a letter written by former RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras to former PM Indira Gandhi, Thackeray said he (Deoras) said the Sangh had no hatred towards Muslims or non Hindus and that it holds secularism, the speciality of Hindus, in high esteem. “Is this Hindutva of the Sangh not acceptable to Amit Shah? Did the Sangh support Emergency or not?” he asked.

Thackeray also took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “He is demanding accountability from the Congress for its 70-year rule… One year after Parliament was constructed, Parliament is leaking. Modi should first explain this misrule of his government,” the Sena (UBT) chief said.

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More


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