In a letter Raj Thackeray issues warning to his cousin Uddhav Thackeray to reopen temples

Sanjay Raut assumes the defender role, says CM himself wants to open places of worship

@vipulbv

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday  joined other opposition parties in demanding reopening of temples in Maharashtra warning that people will forcibly reopen temples if this demand is ignored. On the other hand Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut tried to defend the state government decision to keep temples closed saying peoples life is more important.

Raj Thackeray wrote a three page long letter to his cousin and Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray expressing disappointment over government’s refusal to accede to the demands. “I do wonder if the government is in a trance or daze and has turned a deaf ear to the reverent sentiments of Hindus,” MNS chief’s letter says. 

He further stated that “The citizens need solace and pray to God to save them from this catastrophe. I firmly believe that the government should not be an obstacle between God and its devotees.” 

“Malls are being opened, people are being allowed to attend public events 100, so why is the government so reluctant to open temples?” he asked in a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. 

He expressed confidence saying Hindus will abide by all the regulations set by the government. “However, if the government ignores the pleas of the people in this respect, we will then have to put aside the restrictions and march ahead to see our God,” said Raj in his letter.

Here one must remember that the opposition parties like the BJP, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) have all agitated in their own way for the reopening of temples. On Monday, Prakash Ambedkar also led a protest outside the Pandharpur temple at Solapur. Ambedkar was allowed to enter the temple for some time. but letter offences were registered against them. 

AIMIM Lok Sabha MP Imtiaz Jaleel wanted to open a temple in Aurangabad but Shiv Sena Ex-MP Chandrakant Khaire dared him to do so and Jaleel had to drop plans of temple opening. Now that MNS has jumped in the fray for forcibly opening temple all eyes will now be on what decision Uddhav Thackeray takes.

Earlier, the MNS had started agitation for gym professionals and increased electricity bills.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut came to the rescue of Uddhav Thackeray saying that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray sincerely wants temples to be opened. They have a mindset of making decisions at the right time. If the Chief Minister feels that the lives of the people should not be at stake, then the role should be understood. Opposition should discuss it directly with the Chief Minister. The crisis should not be exacerbated by taking to the streets. We need to exercise restraint, “he said.

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“Opposition has the right to make demands of the government. They are also elements of democracy, Maharashtra. They also have the right to play a role. But you have to be careful while doing this. If the government thinks that this is not the time to open a temple, then it needs to understand. The Maharashtra government does not consider corona to be an act of God. It is not in the interest of the people if the opposition is behaving like this despite knowing that we want to fight this crisis, “said Sanjay Raut.

What is in the letter?

To,
Uddhav Thackeray,
Chief Minister, State of Maharashtra
Jai Maharashtra

At present, the lax policy of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in some matters is very confusing. I do wonder if the government is in a trance or daze and has turned a deaf ear to the reverent sentiments of Hindus, which has been going on for the last several days, does not reach the ears of the government?

Many stages of the ‘unlock’ process have begun, malls are being opened, attendance at public events is being allowed to be 100, and the separation of devotees and gods continues. Why is this government so reluctant to open temples?

We also supported the government’s decision to close temples when all transactions except essential services were halted due to the corona, but why are temples being closed in Maharashtra today when efforts are being made to improve daily life? If the government can frame some rules while relaxing restrictions for malls and public events, the same framework should be in place for temple access.

And whether it is Ashadhi Wari, Gopalkala (Dahi Handi) festival or Ganeshotsav during the lockdown period, the Hindu brothers in the state have shown great harmony, have complied with the orders of the government very sensibly, so if the temple opens tomorrow, I am sure that my Hindu brothers in this state will strictly follow the rules.

And the issue of starting temples is not limited to a few devotees, whether the government will consider whether there are priests serving God, gurus or a small economy that depends on the temple. In the meantime, the priests of Trimbakeshwar temple had come to me and presented me with the same grief. The economy of that village, that city depends on a temple. If that economy is going to collapse, then to whom should they put the prayers?

In the last 5 months, the economy has come to a standstill, people have lost their jobs, businesses have gone bankrupt, so the people are expecting the government to relax the restrictions and plan for public transport. People begged the government for this, requests came, but the government is engrossed in its own confusion, so they want to embrace their God with the ultimate faith of ‘Who can kill the person whom gods save?’ And his devotees should not fall into the trap of parting.

Therefore, the government should not open the temples at the end of all and show progress, but should make a rule and pave the way for Hindus to enter the temples. However, if the government does not take positive steps in this regard as soon as possible, we will have to enter the temple in defiance of the government’s orders, but I hope that this time the government will not allow us to come.

Yours sincerely
Raj Thackeray