BJP protest in Maharashtra demanding reopening of temples | Photo credit: ANI
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government, led by Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena, was attacked on Tuesday by opponent BJP and the governor for the continued closure of places of worship in the state due to coronavirus-induced closure.
The BJP today held protests in front of several places of worship in Maharashtra, including the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai and the Shirdi Sai Baba temple.
In addition, the governor wrote a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, requesting the reopening of places of worship with guidelines for the prevention of COVID-19.
“I wonder if they are getting some divine premonition to keep putting off the reopening (of places of worship) or if they have suddenly gone ‘secular’, the term they hated.” Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s letter read.
The pressure on the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, led by Uddhav, came as temples and other places of worship continued to be closed in Maharashtra, unlike most other states in the country where they have been reopened following a green signal from the Center.
“Liquor and wine stores have opened, including with home delivery options. But who will think of those who want to visit the temple for their peace of mind? The government does not think of small merchants whose livelihoods depend on the temples. The government is full of ego, ”BJP leader Pravin Darekar said today as the party held protests across the state.
“We are demanding that we be allowed to enter the Siddhivinayak temple. If they don’t let us in, we’ll break into the temple. This is a pan-Maharashtra movement, as we want all the temples in the state to be reopened as soon as possible, ”said another BJP leader, Prasad Lad.
Later, when BJP workers tried to enter the Siddhivinayak temple despite heavy police deployment and barricades, they were arrested along with Prasad Lad.
Meanwhile, responding to the governor’s letter, CM Uddhav said that his “Hindutva does not need verification.”
“As suddenly imposing the blockade was not right, repealing it completely at once will not be a good thing either. And yes, I am someone who follows Hindutva; my Hindutva does not need verification from you, ”Uddhav said in a reply to the governor.
