Unholy row Maha Governor CM spar over reopening of shrines

    (Eds: Adds reactions, BJP protests)
    Mumbai, Oct 13 (PTI) Maharashtra Governor B S Koshyari
and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray were engaged in a bitter
exchange of words over reopening of places of worship in the
state amid the COVID-19 pandemic with "secularism" and
"Hindutva" figuring prominently in their discourse.
    The spat between the two constitutional functionaries
started after Koshyari wrote a letter to Thackeray about
representations received by his office demanding reopening of
places of religious worship, shut since March-end in view of
the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown.
    In his letter on Monday, Koshyari told Thackeray that
it is "ironical that while on one hand the state government
permitted opening of bars, restaurants and beaches, our gods
and goddesses have been condemned to stay in the lockdown."
    Responding to the letter by Koshyari, Thackeray on
Tuesday wrote to the Governor, saying the state government
will consider his request to reopen these places.
    The CM said a decision on reopening places of worship,
a demand being vociferously made by the opposition BJP, will
be taken after careful consideration of the COVID-19 situation
in Maharashtra, which tops among states in the number of cases
and deaths.
    In his letter, whose tone and contents evoked
criticism from ruling allies the Congress-NCP, Koshyari had
mentioned that he has received three representations from
delegations demanding that places of religious worship be
reopened.
    In response, Thackeray pointed out the 'coincidence'
that all the three letters Koshyari mentioned were from BJP
office-bearers and supporters.
    An RSS veteran, Koshyari had a long stint in the BJP
before be entered the Raj Bhavan here in September 2019 when
the national party was still ruling the state.
    While in the BJP, the 78-year-old had served in
various capacities and was also the chief minister of
Uttarakhand.
    In the letter to the Maharashtra CM, whose party Shiv
Sena is wedded to Hindutva, Koshyari asked, "Have you suddenly
turned secular, the term you hated?"
    Responding to this question, Thackeray wondered if to
Koshyari, Hindutva meant merely reopening places of religious
worship and if not opening them was to him being secular.
    "Isn't secularism a key component of the Constitution,
by which you swore while taking oath as the state governor,"
Thackeray said.
    "I don't need your certificate for my Hindutva,"
Thackeray said, referring to Koshyari's letter.
    "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," the CM
wrote.
    Koshyari said in the last three months, delegations of
religious leaders, individuals, NGOs and political leaders had
met him to demand reopening of places of religious worship.
    The governor also reminded Thackeray that the Sena
leader had been a strong votary of Hindutva and had "publicly
espoused his devotion to Lord Ram" by visiting Ayodhya after
taking over as the chief minister last year.
    Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay
Raut appeared critical of the Governor over his letter and
backed the chief minister on the row.
    Koshyari should only see whether Maharashtra is being
run as per the Constitution or not and there is an elected
government in the state to look after rest of the things, Raut
said.
    The Rajya Sabha MP also harped on the Shiv Sena's
commitment to Hindutva.
    "Nobody should have a question in mind about whether
one is Hindutvavadi or not. It only needs to be seen whether
the government is being run as per the Constitution or not,"
the Rajya Sabha member said, without naming Koshyari.
    Raut said besides being the chief minister, Thackeray
is president of the Shiv Sena and son of party founder the
Bal Thackeray, who had "propagated Hindutva in the country".
    "Hence, Uddhav Thackeray or us need not take lessons
on Hindutva. Our Hindutvais firm and based on a strong
foundation," he said.
    Latching on to Prime Minister Narendra Modis remark
that the threat of COVID-19 still persists, Raut said in view
of the health concern, it is Thackeray's responsibility to
take care of people's safety, and the governor should have
rather appreciated the chief minister for doing so diligently.
    Peeved over the contents of Koshyari's letter to
Thackeray, NCP president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday wrote to
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing shock over the kind
of language used in the Governor's missive.
    In his letter to Modi, Pawar, whose party is a key
ally in the Sena-led MVA government, said he was pained by the
erosion of standards of conduct by the high Constitutional
office of the Honourable Governor.
    The former Union minister referred to the huge crowds
some temples in the state like that of Lord Vitthal in
Pandhapur, Siddhivinayak in Mumbai, Sai Baba in Shirdi and
others, witness on normal days.
    In such places, it is almost impossible to maintain
safe distance between people. Keeping this in view, the
Government of Maharashtra had decided to stagger the decision
regarding opening up of places of worship, Pawar said.
    Shiv Sena's ally Congress also disapproved of the
comments in Koshyari's letter, saying they go against the
constitutional principle of secularism.
    Speaking to reporters here, state Congress chief and
revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat said Koshyari is also the
Governor of the BJP-ruled Goa where places of worship are
still closed on account of coronavirus.
    "What the Governor has said goes against the principle
of secularism in the Constitution. We think this is not right.
Does the President approve of the language used in the
Governor's letter?" Thorat asked.
    Meanwhile, the BJP on Tuesday held protests outside
temples in various cities in Maharashtra demanding reopening
of places of worship.
    In Mumbai, BJP workers led by MLC Prasad Lad and
Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Praveen Darekar
tried to enter the famous Siddhivinayak Temple. Lad, Darekar
and others were detained by the police and later released.
    In Thane, BJP workers, led by MLAs Niranjan Davkhare
and Sanjay Kelkar, rang bells as part of the "ghanta naad"
protest which was held in front of ancient Ghantali temple.
    In Pune, BJP activists staged a demonstration outside
the famous Tambadi Jogeshwari temple.
    In Aurangabad city, BJP workers performed puja and
sang devotional songs outside a temple. PTI VT ENM SPK ND AW
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)