Reopening of places of worship: War of words between Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and CM Uddhav Thackeray

MUMBAI: Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and chief minister Uddhav Thackeray were involved in a war of words over the reopening of places of worship in the state, which have been shut since March in the wake of lockdown following coronavirus.
On the day the BJP launched a state-wide agitation to press its demand for reopening of places of worship, Koshyari wrote a sarcasm filled letter, requesting the CM to announce forthwith the reopening all the places of worship with all necessary Covid-19 precautions."You have been a strong votary of Hindutwa, you had publicly espoused your devotion for lord Rama by visiting Ayodhya after taking charge as CM, you had visited the Vitthal Rukmini Mandir, Pandharpur and performed the puja on Ashadhi Ekadishi,," Koshyari said in his letter.

Thackeray shot back in equally strong words, saying, the governor has rightly mentioned his Hindutva. However, he does not require a certificate for his concept of Hindutva from Koshyari and and there is no need for him to learn it from anyone. "My definition of Hindutva is very clear, neither my state nor the state capital will give a rousing welcome to a person, who called Mumbai POK. It does not fit in my Hindutva,’’ Thackeray observed. Apparently, Thackeray’s remarks referred to actor Kangana Ranaut, who was given a red carpet welcome when she called on the governor last month after her Bandra office was demolished by the BMC on the ground that it is illegal.
On Koshyari’s comment that if the CM is receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of the place of worship time and again or have you suddenly turned secular, yourselves, the term you hated, Thackeray reacted more strongly. "Why has this question come to your mind? Do you feel that merely opening of temple means Hindutva and not opening means secular? As Governor you took oath of office and secrecy as per the provisions of constitution, which is based on secularism. Do you agree with that secularism,’’ the CM said.

Further, Thackeray said, Koshyari has raised another question, if he receives any divine premonition. "Koshyari must have personal experience of divine premonition, I have absolutely no idea, I am not that big. I am studying what’s happening in other states and trying to implement what is better for Maharashtra,’’ Thackeray pointed out.
Further, Thackeray pointed out that it is a coincidence that the three memorandum attached to Governor’s letter are from the BJP. "It appears to be a coincidence. My government has taken serious note of your letter and decision will be taken as early as possible after taking due precautions," he said.
In his letter, Koshyari mentioned that while on one hand the state government has permitted the opening of bars, restaurants and beaches, on the other hand, gods and goddesses have been condemned to stay in the lockdown. "During the last three months, several delegations met me on this issue, demanding the reopening of places of worship. These delegations were from NGOs, political parties and religious leaders," he said.
Koshyari said despite CM’s promise, the ban on places of worship is being extended again and again. "Your words had raised much hope in the minds of the people tired of long spell of lockdown,’’ he said.
NCP spokesperson and skill development minister Nawab Malik reacted sharply on Koshyari’s letter, saying, he is indulging in petty politics. "Raj Bhavan has become a hub of political activities. Let CM do his job, he is handling the situation in the field, as a political head of the state, he will take a decision on places of worship at appropriate time," Malik said, while a Congress leader said that Koshyari is pushing BJP’s agenda.