Saibaba birthplace row uncalled for; CM can't be blamed: Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should not be blamed for the “uncalled for” controversy over the birthplace of Saibaba as nobody can tell whether the 19th century saint was actually born in Shirdi.

Noting that the Saibaba Sansthan’s assets are worth over Rs 2,600 crore out of which social works are done, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said Shirdi became “rich” because of the saint, and none can snatch away the richness of the town where he died. It also said that Thackeray did not refer to Pathri in Parbhani district as Saibaba’s birthplace “on his own”, but on the basis of versions of some historians.

During a state Cabinet meeting on January 9, Thackeray said Pathri, considered the birthplace of Saibaba, would be developed as a site of religious tourism, and announced a grant of Rs 100 crore for the place. The led to a row following which locals from Shirdi called for a bandh in the temple town on Sunday.