The governor requested Uddhav Thackeray to reopen religious places of worship in the state in his letter. Koshyari wrote: “You have been a strong votary of Hindutva. You had publicly expressed your devotion for Lord Ram. You had visited, Vitthal Rukmani Temple on Ashadi Ekadashi.”
“I wonder if you are receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of the places of worships time and again or have you suddenly turned secular?” Koshyari asked in the letter. In response, Uddhav Thackeray said, “I don’t need a certificate from you about my Hindutva.”
Further taking a dig at the state administration, Bhagat Singh Koshyari said it is “ironical” that the Maharashtra government has reopened bars and restaurants but has not taken a call on reopening religious places of worship.
“It is ironical that on one hand, the government has opened up bars and restaurants but on the other hand, gods and goddesses have been condemned to stay in the lockdown,” Koshyari wrote.
Giving an example of Delhi, he said the religious places have been reopened in the national capital in June, but added that no surge in Covid-19 cases have been reported from any of these places of worship.
“I request you to announce forthwith the reopening of all the places of worship with necessary Covid-19 precautions,” Koshyari added.
Governor Faces Heat Over Letter
Soon after Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s letter started doing rounds on social media site Twitter, he was criticised by many leaders including Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi.
She said, “A governor swears by the constitution while taking oath to the chair but is now having a problem with what is to be followed by the very same constitution?”
“Was the letter drafted as a BJP member? Does the Hon. Pres agree with the spirit and content of Maha Governor’s letter to Hon. CM?” she questioned.
This letter is a master class in reminding the Governor how he is expected to discharge his constitutional duties and how he is not to speak like an opposition party spokesperson. https://t.co/Rlw1mWBCka
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) October 13, 2020
“I would request Hon. President of India to take this up and remind the governor that he is duty bound to follow constitutional norms and not speak as BJP spokesperson,” Chaturvedi said.
Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao also slammed the Maharashtra Governor for the letter. He said, “Governor BS Koshyari is a stooge of BJP. Mr Koshari, secular is what the Constitution expects of every citizen. You’re the Constitutional head of the state.”
Governor @BSKoshyari is a stooge of @BJP4India.
Mr Koshari, secular is what the Constitution expects of every citizen.
You’re the Constitutional Head of the State.Behave like one.
You’re letter to @OfficeofUT is inappropriate. https://t.co/ww9Ldb65Nv
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) October 13, 2020
“Behave like one. Your letter to Uddhav Thackeray is inappropriate,” he said.
Source: India Today
