The continued restrictions on various aspects of life due to COVID-19 have been a regular cause of political bickering in various states.
In Maharashtra, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari wrote a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray that criticised the state government's decision to extend its ban on reopening places of worship. The letter from Koshyari, dated October 12 (Monday), was reported on Tuesday.
In the letter, Koshyari noted that Uddhav had raised hopes of people with a televised address on June 1 in which he said the word "lockdown" would be consigned to history. Koshyari termed as "unfortunate" Uddhav's decision to extend the ban on reopening places of worship in his televised address on October 11.
Koshyari termed as "ironical" the government allowing reopening of bars and beaches, while "our gods and goddesses are condemned to stay in the lockdown".
Koshyari, then controversially, went on to take a jibe at Uddhav's political views.
"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?," Koshyari wrote.
Uddhav replied to Koshyari on Tuesday, issuing his letter in Marathi. Uddhav noted the state government will consider his request to reopen places of worship.
In the letter, Uddhav noted he did not need a certificate on Hindutva from anyone. Uddhav also took issue with Koshyari meeting actor Kangana Ranaut after her office was demolished by the BMC.
Uddhav was quoted by NDTV as asking, "inviting people who call Mumbai PoK also falls outside his definition of Hindutva".
Uddhav added the issue of reopening of temples was not a question of secularism. "Isn't secularism a key component of the Constitution, by which you swore while taking oath as the state governor?" Thackeray asked.
"While considering the sentiments and beliefs of the people, it is also important to take care of their lives and it is wrong to impose and lift lockdown suddenly," he said in the letter.
