CM Uddhav Thackeray hits out at Governor Koshyari over reopening of Temples

CM says, he does not need any certificate from the Governor for being a Hindutva ideology follower

@the_news_21

New Delhi: In the run-up to the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and it subsequently being sworn-in to power on November 28, 2019, the relations between Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray have always remained less than cordial. Latest being a ugly spat between the two over unlocking of temples in the state, even as the government allowed unlocking of bars.

In the last eleven months, there have been quite a few instances where both Koshyari and Thackeray had been at loggerheads with each other over the appointment of nominated members to the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) by the Governor himself. The Governor even had a showdown with the government over conduct of final year examinations, with the matter reaching the courts.

The ungracious relationship between Raj Bhawan and Matoshree is more than evident to the people. The latest episode between the two is the reopening of temples and places of worship on which the state government is not favourable enough. Never in the long history of the state relationship between the Governor and the Chief Minister have rarely gone so sour.

What has surprised many is that earlier this year in January, the Thackeray’s had invited the Governor for dinner at their personal residence, Matoshree in Bandra. Later in June, the Governor called on Rashmi Thackeray, wife of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray following the demise of his father-in-law Madhavrao Patankar.

Gathering much ammo to target Thackeray, Governor Koshyari found an opportune time after the MVA government allowed reopening of hotels, restaurants and bars by deciding to keep the temples and places of worship shut.

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Demands to reopen temples have been made by various religious groups since the last several months when the state government started easing restrictions under “Mission Begin Again” in June.

In a strongly worded letter, Governor who expressed dismay over the state government’s reluctance to reopen temples said, “Most, unfortunately, four months after your famous public announcement, you extended the ban on the opening of the places of worship in the state yet again, the announcement of which was made by you during the televised address to the people on October 11, 2020”.

“I wonder if you are receiving any premonition to keep postponing the reopening of the places of worship time and again or have you suddenly turned “secular” yourselves, the term you hated?”, Koshyari questioned.

Retorting to the Governor’s exasperated missive, CM Thackeray said, he does not need any certificate from the Governor for being a proponent of Hindutva ideology. 

“As you have mentioned that I am a votary of Hindutva that remains true. But I do not need a certificate from you on it. Also, I do not wish to learn Hindutva from anybody,” Thackeray said.

To a question asked by the Governor in his letter, ‘Have you suddenly turned ‘Secular’ yourselves, the term you hated? Thackeray in return asked, whether allowing the opening of temples can be called as Hindutva and if they are not allowed then one would be termed as a secular?

“The oath which you took according to the Constitution has secularism as its core. Do you disagree with it?” Thackeray asked.

The chief minister also hit out at the Governor saying that he does not receive any divine premonition. “You would be experienced in it. By witnessing whatever good or bad is happening in other states and countries, I am making sincere efforts to do something good here,” he said.

Thackeray said all the three letters which have been enclosed by the Governor have been handed over to him by the delegations of BJP leaders. Considering it as a coincidence, he assured, the government would seriously look into reopening of temples at the earliest by taking all precautions.