key points:
- BJP leaders in Maharashtra protested against the Shiv Sena-led government for not granting permission to reopen temples in the state after the coronavirus lockdown. Besides Mumbai, the protest also staged at Nagpur, Shirdi, Kolhapur.
- BJP targeted the Uddhav Thackrey government and said that his government has allowed the reopening of bars so why can’t they allow reopening of temples?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) carried out protests demanding that all temples in Maharashtra should be reopened for devotees on Tuesday. BJP leader Prasad Lad and other party workers were detained in Mumbai as they staged protests outside Siddhivinayak and Shirdi Sai Baba temples to demand the opening of all the temples in the state amid COVID-19.
During the protest, the party workers tried to enter the temple amidst heavy police deployment and barricading as they demanded the reopening of all temples in Maharashtra for devotees.
Protestors were seen hold placards which read ‘Liquor on…..Temple shut, Uddhav your work should be shut’, translated from Marathi.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had also responded to Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, who had earlier written to the CM asking him about Hindutva and to reopen temples with precautions.
Maharashtra Governor wrote to CM Uddhav Thackeray, seeking re-opening of places of worship with COVID precautions
"I wonder if you're receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing re-opening or you've suddenly turned 'secular' yourselves, the term you hated?" letter states pic.twitter.com/BedTgTSP2d
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2020
BJP leader Lad told reporters, “We are demanding that we should be allowed to enter the Siddhivinayak temple. If they do not give us entry, then we will force our way into the temple. This is a pan-Maharashtra movement as we want that all temples in the state should be reopened as soon as possible”.
“Liquor and wine shops have been reopened, even with home delivery options. But who will think about those who want to visit the temple for their mental peace? The government is not thinking about small traders whose livelihood depends on temples,” said Lad adding, “Government is full of the ego”. The party is holding similar agitations across the state.
(With agency inputs)
