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COVID-19 restrictions being imposed in Maharashtra only during Hindu festivals: Narayan Rane

The Union minister dubbed the state government "anti-Hindu"

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Even as prohibitory orders have been imposed in Mumbai from September 10 to 19 to ensure that the COVID-19 situation does not get out owing to Ganesh festival, and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray urged the people across the state to strictly  follow coronavirus norms, Union minister Narayan Rane said the state government imposing restrictions during festivals is "wrong."

According to news agency ANI, the Union minister dubbed the state government "anti-Hindu" and said the government thinks of restrictions only when there are Hindus festivals. "Shiv Sena speaks of Hindutva but their Hindutva ended the day they parted ways with BJP," he said.

For a second year, the pandemic cast a long shadow on Ganesh Chaturthi festivities as restrictions have been imposed to ensure that gatherings and processions do not take place. People welcomed Lord Ganesh in their homes and pandals without pomp and gaiety and with focus on online ''darshan'' to avoid gathering. The state government has banned physical ''darshan'' of Lord Ganesh at community pandals (marquees) and said only online ''darshan'' or telecast from pandals would be allowed.

Thackeray, on Friday, urged people to launch a strong movement against coronavirus and said he prayed to Lord Ganesh to destroy all "evil and negativity". ''We need to work towards eradicating the pandemic permanently by behaving as responsible citizens. In the last two years, we have been forced to impose restrictions in celebrations. "People's lives and health are more important than any festival. I am confident Lord Ganesh, who is called Vighnaharta (one who removes all hurdles) will destroy the evil virus," the CM said after performing puja at his official residence in Mumbai

"Just like Lokmanya Tilak used the Ganeshotav to inspire people to fight the British, all mandals and organisations should use the festival to create awareness about virus and ensure it is permanently destroyed,'''' Thackeray said.

—With PTI inputs

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