Mumbai; Maharashtra is the worst hit state due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government in different phases of unlock, has given exemptions to various sectors, but few restrictions are enforced as earlier such as temples or holy places. The Uddhav Thackeray led State government in Maharashtra has attracted criticism over restrictions on temples. The political war between the Governor and the Chief Minister on this matter seems to be intensifying as Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has questioned Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s Hindutva and asked him to open religious places.
CM Thackeray wrote a letter to the Governor in response, in which he wrote that along with the discussion on opening a religious place in Maharashtra, the growing cases of Coronavirus should also be taken care of.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister said, ‘I do not want a certificate from you to prove my Hinduism. Welcoming those who compare our state with PoK does not fit, reply my Hindutva! Will Hinduism be proved only by opening a temple? ‘
In a letter written to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari stated that from June 1, you had announced to resume the mission, but even after four months the religious places are not opened. Further, it said, “it is ironic that on one side the government has opened bars and restaurants, but on the other hand, the site of Goddesses and Gods has not been opened. You are a strong advocate of Hindutva. You publicly expressed your devotion for Lord Rama, what is the issue now”.
Koshyari said, “You visited the Vitthal Rukmani temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi, have you become secular all of the sudden? Which word do you hate? Places of worship have been opened in Delhi despite COVID-19 cases having increased then Maharashtra is different”.