Have you suddenly turned ‘secular’? Maharashtra Guv Koshyari asks CM Uddhav Thackeray

I wonder if you are receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of the places of worship: Koshyari wrote in the letter

A major and unprecedented war-of-words broke out in Maharashtra between Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the state delaying the re-opening of temples and other places of worship.

While Koshyari questioned whether Thackeray has left Hindutva to turn “secular”, the latter has shot back saying that he does not need a “certificate” from the Governor on secularism.
Over the past couple of months, various religious groups have been requesting the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, comprising Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, for opening places of worship.

The BJP has sided with various Hindu organizations demanding the opening up of temples which are shut for devotees since the commencement of the Lockdown in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

In a letter to Uddhav, the Governor said: “….You have been a strong votary of Hindutva. You have publicly espoused your devotion for Lord Rama by visiting Ayodhya after taking charge as Chief Minister. You visited Vitthal Rukmini Mandir in Pandharpur and performed the puja on Ashadi Ekadashi.”

What have rattled Uddhav and MVA leaders is what Koshyari said – “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 turn ‘secular’ yourself, the term your hated.”

“It is ironic that while on one hand, the state government has permitted the opening of bars, restaurants and beaches, on the other hand our Gods and Goddesses have been condemned to stay in the lockdown,” Koshyari said.

Immediately, Uddhav, the Shiv Sena President, in a letter shot back saying: “You have taken oath as a Governor…and secularism is a part of the Constitution.”

“However, I don’t need a certificate on Hindutva from anybody, nor do I have to learn it from anyone. Those giving a warm welcome to people who compare my state and its capital (Mumbai) with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir don’t fit in my Hindutva,” Thackeray said referring to the recent episode involving Kangana Ranaut.

In the strong response, he asked: “Are you implying that merely opening temples is ‘Hindutva’ and keeping them shut is being ‘secular’?”