Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari shared an acrimonious exchange over the reopening of places of worship in the state. The Governor, in a letter, had questioned the CM whether he had “turned secular”. The CM soon responded that he did not need a Hindutva certificate from anyone.
On Monday, the Governor wrote to Uddhav Thackeray “requesting him to announce forthwith” the reopening of places of worship with Covid precautions.
Mr Koshyari wrote, “You have been a strong votary of Hindutva. You had publicly espoused your devotion for Lord Rama by visiting Ayodhya after taking charge as Chief Minister. You had visited the Vitthal Rukmini Mandir in Pandharpur and performed the puja on Ashadhi Ekadashi. I wonder if you are receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of places of worship time and again or have you turned ‘secular’ yourselves, a term you hated?”
The CM soon responded that his Hindutva did not require a certificate from the governor or anyone. He further added that he would take a decision after careful consideration.
Bhartiya Janata Party workers have been protesting in front of Siddhivinayak temple since morning. They are demanding that the state government should reopen the places of worship. Protests are also being held near the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi.
Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with over 15,35,315 cases.
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