'Don't Need Hindutva Certficate From You,' Uddhav Retorts At Maha Governor’s Letter Over Reopening Of Temples

Maharashtra: Thackeray said “my Hindutva doesn't need verification from you,” after being questioned by the governor on his “sudden secularism”.

(File PTI Photo/Shashank Parade)

New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday hit back at Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari who in a letter sought re-opening of temples including Siddhivinayak Mandir and Shirdi Sai Temple in the state. The letter corresponds to the Bharatoya Janta Party’s protests in Mumbai as the saffron party tried to corner the ruling Shiv Sena over closing of temples, while bars and pubs have been allowed to operate in the state. Thackeray said “my Hindutva doesn't need verification from you,” after being questioned by the governor on his “sudden secularism”. Maharashtra Governor wrote to CM Uddhav Thackeray, seeking re-opening of places of worship with COVID precautions . In his letter, Koshyari had mentioned that he has received three representations from delegations demanding that places of religious worship be reopened. Koshyari had also asked, "Have you suddenly turned secular?" "I wonder if you're receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing re-opening or you've suddenly turned 'secular' yourselves, the term you hated?" letter states. ‘It is ironical that while the government has allowed opening up of bars, pubs and even beaches, but on the other hand our gods and goddesses have been kept closed in the lockdown,’ Koshyari said in the letter. Responding to it, Thackeray pointed out that it was a coincidence that all the three letters Koshyari mentioned were from BJP office-bearers and supporters. He said as imposing lockdown all of a sudden was not right, revoking it completely at once will also be not a good thing. “And yes, I am someone who follows Hindutva, my Hindutva doesn't need verification from you,” he said. 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. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janta Party is staging a huge protest in Mumbai demanding reopening of places of worship including the Siddhivinayak temple, the Shridi Sai temple among others. The saffron party trained guns at Thackeray government for giving “priority” to places likes bars and pubs where alcohol is served while neglecting the faith of the devotees.