Effigy Burning and the Legacy of Anand Dighe

Shiv Sena workers recently burned an effigy of MP Sanjay Raut after his controversial remarks about late party leader Anand Dighe. This protest took place at Dighe's memorial site, highlighting tensions within the party over legacy and leadership, sparked by Raut's comments on an advertisement featuring Dighe.

Shiv Sena workers staged a protest on Thursday, igniting an effigy of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. The demonstration was sparked by Raut's controversial comments regarding Anand Dighe, a revered late leader of the party.

The protest occurred at Dighe's memorial site, Anand Ashram, which also served as his former office. Dighe, who was a significant figure in the undivided Shiv Sena in Thane district, is recognized as a mentor to Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and current Shiv Sena chief, Eknath Shinde.

Raut's remarks were in response to a newspaper advertisement by the Shinde-led faction for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, which featured images of Sena founder Bal Thackeray alongside Dighe. Raut questioned the equivalence implied in the portrayal, noting Dighe was not a deputy leader, despite acknowledging him as a 'dear colleague'.

(With inputs from agencies.)