Maharashtra: Guv, CM stand divided on reopening of worship places

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and chief minister Uddhav Thackeray were involved in a war of words over the reopening of places of worship in the state, which have been shut since March in the wake of lockdown following coronavirus. On the day the BJP launched a state-wide agitation to press its demand for reopening of places of worship, Koshyari wrote a sarcasm filled letter, requesting the CM to announce forthwith the reopening all the places of worship with all necessary Covid-19 precautions.

Mumbai: The tussle among prominent leaders of Maharashtra, Maharashtra chief minister Uddahv Thackrey and Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has escalated over the opening up of religious places in the state.

Writing a letter to the Chief Minister, Governor Koshyari questioned why temples are still shut in the state while other activities like ‘bars and restaurants’ were allowed.

"Our gods and goddesses have been condemned to stay under lockdown," he said in his letter.

Maharashtra: Guv, CM stand divided on reopening of worship places

“ I wonder whether you have to receive any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of the places of worship time and again or have you suddenly turned ‘secular’ yourselves, the term you hated before ?” the letter read.

In a reply to governer, CM Thackeray wrote that the state’s primary duty is to look after the citizen’s health and welfare and opening up abruptly would not be in the best interests of the people.

Maharashtra: Guv, CM stand divided on reopening of worship places

The CM said he did not need a certificate of Hindutva from the Governor and slammed him saying, " Welcoming a person in my home who has described the capital of my state as PoK does not fall under my definition of Hindutva."

"Do you not accept secularism that is an important part of the Constitution," Thackerey further said.

On Tuesday, BJP Mumbai unit protested outside Siddhivinayak temple for the demand of reopening of temples. Mumbai police detained the protesting BJP workers.

Chandrakant Patil jumped into the argument

Targeting CM Thackerey, BJP state president Chandrakant Patil has also jumped into the word tussle saying, the people will decide whether you need a certificate of Hindutva or not.

Sanjay Raut reacts

After that, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has also reiterated the role played by Uddhav Thackeray.

"Hindutva is the soul of Shiv Sena. Therefore, we do not need to learn the lessons of Hindutva from anyone. We are internal and external pro-Hindus," said MP Raut.

Criticism of Ashish Shelar

BJP leader Ashish Shelar strongly criticized Uddhav Thackeray

"Those who accompanied the Congress who insulted freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar; to those who opposed Yakub's execution who made him the Guardian Minister of Mumbai; Those who went to Pandharpur and did not even touch the idol of Vitthal. This is helplessness for power, Shelar said.

Senior Shiv Sena leader Chandrakant Patil targets BJP

"The governor is doing this at the behest of the BJP. The Governor is His Excellency, he should be impartial" he said.

Agitation by Prakash Ambedkar and MNS

Prakash Ambedkar and his group which has been campaigning for the opening of temples in Pandharpur and Shirdi have backed the governor's role.

Overall, both the Shiv Sena and the BJP are at loggerheads over the temple issue. In particular, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has made the same demand. However, the MNS has taken a stand to stay away from this controversy.

MIM joins debate

MIM MP Imtiaz Jalil had also staged an agitation in Aurangabad to open religious places. He and his activists tried to force their way into a mosque in Aurangabad. This time, the police took him into custody and released him.

Read:|BJP leaders detained for attempting to enter Siddhivinayak temple