Thackeray flays Rs 22-cr throne for Shirdi Sai Baba

Slamming the proposal to install a golden throne, the Shiv Sena chief says the money should be used for welfare. Do you agree with Bal Thackeray?

The

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Shirdi Sai Baba

temple trust's plan to install a Rs 22-crore golden throne for the saint has evoked sharp criticism from Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, who said the money should be used for welfare purposes.

"What kind of devotion is this? This amount can be used to help people affected by calamities like recent floods, farmers' suicides and serial blasts," Thackeray said in Sunday's issue of party mouthpiece Saamna.

The Trust chief Jayant Sasane had recently announced that a golden throne would soon replace the silver throne, currently the seat of the idol of the saint.

"This (the proposal) is sheer madness. Can this money not be used to help families of jawans who sacrifice their lives for the country," he said. "Leave this madness and extend a helping hand to the needy," he added.