Amid Covid curbs, BJP begins its temple run
Key leaders protest; Aurangabad workers break open temple, held; Cong says BJP flouting Covid norms
MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday staged protests across Maharashtra demanding reopening of temples and other places of worship. Key state leaders participated in the protest and threatened to forcefully open temples next week if their demand is not met.
BJP’S spiritual coordination cell organised the protest against Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government’s decision to prevent entry of general public to places of worship as part of restrictions imposed to check spread of Covid-19. BJP’S state unit chief Chandrakant Patil asked all party workers, officebearers and elected representatives to participate actively in the protest near their homes.
Significantly, three days ago, Union health ministry asked the state government to restrict religious activities and celebrations during upcoming festivals amid potential threat of third wave.
Patil led the protest at Kasba Ganpati temple in Pune, while former finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar led it at Babulnath Mandir in Mumbai. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and MP Sujay Vikhe Patil participated in protest at Sai Baba mandir in Shirdi. Party legislator Ram Kadam staged protest outside Siddhivinayak temple at Prabhadevi in Mumbai.
Party’s Aurangabad leaders and workers tried to break open gates of Gajanan Maharaj Mandir in Aurangabad, following which police arrested them.
Patil said their agitation was not just for temples. “We have been demanding opening up of temples, churches and masjids as there is unrest among the people. It is the question of sentiments of 120 million people of Maharashtra. It’s time for the government to wake up and take decision,” he said.
Mungantiwar questioned why the state government, which allowed bars, liquor shops and malls to reopen and fully vaccinated commuters to take trains, is not allowing temples to open. “Temples in all other states have been allowed to open. Kerala, which have been reporting the highest number of cases, has allowed online darshan for worshippers. Then, why has the state government then opened other establishments? Maharashtra is the only state which has kept religious places shut. It is not true that [Narendra] Modi government has asked the state to keep temples shut,” he said after protest at Babulnath temple in Mumbai.
Kadam said they were demanding opening up of temples with restrictions and strict adherence of Covid protocol.
However, those who participated in the protests were not seen following social distancing or other Covid protocols.
The Congress, one of the three ruling parties, alleged the state BJP was politicising the issue despite Modi government’s orders, imposing restrictions on festivals and religious activities.
State Congress’s general secretary and spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “Maharashtra BJP has been blatantly violating Modi government’s directions. They have been violating Covid-19 restrictions by crowding and not following Covid-appropriate behaviour. Why doesn’t the Maharashtra BJP protest against the Modi government for imposing restrictions on festivals?.”
Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, “The Modi-led Central government has asked Maharashtra and Kerala governments to take utmost care amid high number of Covid cases, and not allow festivals. Then, action should be taken against it first for the curbs.”