Two years post the momentous pran pratishtha of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Nirupam didn’t mince words on Thursday, calling out top leaders for their deliberate absence from the sacred site. This monumental achievement, born from prolonged court fights and public movements, fills the hearts of India’s Hindu majority with pride. But Nirupam lambasted those ‘religious’ figures dodging visits due to vote bank anxieties, terming it a sorry spectacle.
‘India cherishes secularism, respecting all religions equally,’ Nirupam affirmed. ‘But ignoring the majority’s devotion is not just wrong—it’s insulting.’ His comments highlight a growing rift in political posturing around faith-based issues.
On the Shankaracharyas, Nirupam voiced unwavering respect, spotlighting Swami Avimuktishwaranand’s blessings during Maharashtra’s cow honor ceremony, echoed by Deputy CM Shinde. Regarding the tragic Prayagraj incident on Mouni Amavasya, where millions bathed amid chaos, he stressed police accountability while advocating for veneration of these spiritual giants.
Turning to the I-PAC controversy, Nirupam dropped a bombshell. The firm, known for its cross-party election strategies and candidate picks, faces accusations of deep financial misconduct. Following an earlier ED swoop—met with howls from affected parties—new evidence shows I-PAC securing a Rs 13 crore loan from a phantom Haryana firm. Nirupam labeled it outright money laundering, a scheme to launder illicit funds.
‘Demand full investigation under PMLA,’ he insisted to reporters. ‘Probe every key player in I-PAC’s ecosystem.’ This scandal, unfolding amid high-stakes polls, threatens to expose underbelly dealings in political consulting, potentially altering trust in such firms and prompting stricter oversight.