Mumbai: BJP leader Prasad Lad along with other party workers has been detained by the police during a protest after they attempted to enter Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Protesters tried to enter the temple amidst heavy police deployment and barricading.
BJP has organised demonstrations across Maharashtra against the state government on Tuesday, demanding re-opening of all temples for devotees.
Meanwhile, during the protest, BJP Leader Pravin Darekar asked, "Liquor and wine shops have been opened, even with home delivery options. But who will think about those who want to visit the temple for their mental peace?
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He also alleged that the state government is full of ego as it is not thinking about small traders whose livelihood depends on temples.
On the other hand, BJP Leader Prasad Lad said that the party workers are demanding that people should be allowed to enter the Siddhivinayak temple.
"If the government do not give us entry, then we will force our way into the temple. This is a pan-Maharashtra movement as we want that all temples in the state should be reopened asap," Lad said.
However, after BJP started holding similar agitations across the state, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, seeking re-opening of places of worship with COVID precautions.
"I wonder if you are receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing re-opening or you have suddenly turned 'secular' yourselves, the term you hated?" his letter read.
Reacting to Governor's reply, CM Thackeray said that as imposing lockdown all of a sudden was not right, revoking it completely at once will also be not a good thing.
"And yes, I am someone who follows Hindutva, my Hindutva does not need verification from you," he asserted.
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