A war of words erupted between Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and CM Uddhav Thackeray after the former wrote a letter to the Chief Minister regarding reopening of all places of worship.
Reminding Uddhav about the ‘Hindutva’, the Governor wrote “….You have been a strong votary of Hindutva. You have publicly espoused your devotion for Lord Rama by visiting Ayodhya after taking charge as Chief Minister. You visited Vitthal Rukmini Mandir in Pandharpur and performed the puja on Ashadi Ekadashi.”
Koshyari told Thackeray that it is “ironical that while on one hand the state government permitted opening of bars, restaurants and beaches, our gods and goddesses have been condemned to stay in the lockdown”.
The Governor said during the last three months, several delegations of religious leaders, individuals, NGOs and political leaders had met him to demand reopening of places of religious worship. “I wonder if you are receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of the places of worship time and again or have you suddenly turned ‘secular’ yourself, the term your hated,” he added.
In response, Uddhav wrote, “Received your letter asking to reopen all worshipping places. Govt is thinking about this. But we do care about the lives of People of Maharashtra. That’s why the way we impose lockdown slowly it is necessary to lift the lockdown slowly. We are taking all care in tho battle with Corona by implementing health campaigns and making people aware of it.”
Uddhav also took dig at Guv by saying that “You have mentioned My stand of ‘Hindutva’ in that letter but I don’t need a certificate of ‘Hindutva’ from you and don’t need to learn it from anyone else. The person who calls my state or Mumbai as POK, I don’t welcome such people at home. That’s not my ‘Hindutva’. You have also said in the letter. “
Bharatiya Janata Party is organising protests and demonstrations across the state, demanding re-opening of temples for devotees. Protestors were seen holding placards which read “Liquor on…..Temple shut, Uddhav your work should be shut”.
Earlier today, the state police have arrested BJP leader Prasad Lad and other party workers during a protest held outside Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. BJP workers also staged protests outside the Shirdi Sai Baba temples across the state and demanded the opening of all the temples in the state.
