CM Eknath Shinde's Kamakhya Temple Visit Sparks Controversy, Sanjay Raut Hits Back

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has once again visited the famous Kamakhya Temple in Assam, marking his second visit to the revered Shakti Peeth since assuming office. His visit has drawn sharp reactions from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who accused Shinde of engaging in acts of "animal sacrifice" under the guise of religious practices.

Shinde's Kamakhya Temple Visit

Speaking to journalists after arriving in Guwahati on Wednesday, CM Eknath Shinde said, “I have come here to seek the blessings of Maa Kamakhya.” He emphasized his faith in the temple and highlighted that he had visited both before and after becoming the Chief Minister. Shinde added that the people of Maharashtra would vote for the "Mahayuti" (the grand alliance) based on the work his government had initiated, contrasting it with projects the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had stalled.

“Our government is for the common people, and we are ensuring that the benefits of development reach them. I am confident that Maharashtra’s people will elect the Mahayuti in the upcoming elections,” Shinde remarked during his visit.

Sanjay Raut's Sharp Criticism

Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut, a key figure in the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction of the Shiv Sena, took a scathing dig at Shinde’s visit. Raut, without mincing words, said, "He’s gone there to sacrifice buffaloes. We woke up in the middle of the night. The outrage from there has reached Maharashtra. Such widespread animal slaughter is not justified. Is there no religion of humanity? Under the guise of God, they are going and killing animals. What’s happening in this country?"

Raut further questioned Shinde’s position as Chief Minister, emphasizing Maharashtra’s rich history of leaders like Mahatma Phule, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Prabodhankar Thackeray. He criticized Shinde for allegedly participating in such acts of animal sacrifice, remarking, "In a state where reformists fought against such practices, the Chief Minister is now participating in animal sacrifices."

Also read: Jagannath Temple and Konark Sun Temple Shut Down as Precaution!

Shinde’s Response to Election Candidates

In addition to his temple visit, Shinde addressed questions about the upcoming elections. He confirmed that the first list of Shiv Sena candidates had been announced, and the second list would follow soon. He expressed confidence that the Mahayuti would secure a strong victory.

A History of Visits to Kamakhya

This is not Shinde’s first visit to the Kamakhya Temple. He previously visited the temple in November 2022, shortly after taking the oath as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister in June of the same year, following a political shake-up that saw his faction split from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

With Maharashtra’s elections approaching, Shinde’s frequent visits to religious sites, including the Kamakhya Temple, are being closely watched, both by his supporters and critics. His latest temple visit comes as his party has announced candidates for 45 seats, with Shinde himself contesting from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency.

As the political climate in Maharashtra heats up ahead of the elections, both Shinde’s religious activities and the sharp rebuke from Sanjay Raut have added fuel to the ongoing political rivalry between the two factions of the Shiv Sena.