Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has joined the ranks of BJP leaders and started pushing the Maharashtra government to reopen the temples. MNS party chief Raj Thackeray has sent a letter to Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and expressed their disappointment over the government’s refusal to re-open the temples. He also threatened that saying people will forcibly reopen temples if this demand is neglected
Raj Thackeray said that “I do wonder if the government is in a trance or daze and has turned a deaf ear to the reverent sentiments of Hindus. 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.” as reported by The Hindustan Times.
But this needs to be stated that it was BJP, which understood the plight of Hindus and launched an agitation and demanded the reopening of all temples across the state. They are calling it the ‘ghanta naad (tolling of the bells) andolan‘.
The Maharashtra BJP is hitting the streets across the state for a daylong agitation, ringing bells in front of temples, and blowing conch shells to demand the unlocking of all temples that were shut down after the outbreak of the Corona pandemic.
Adhyatmik Samanvay Aghadi, which enjoys the backing of BJP and which is a right-wing platform of religious trusts and organizations that has been floated to press the demand, has threatened to intensify the agitation if the Thackeray government does not respond.
Here it is important to understand that millions of livelihoods are directly or indirectly linked with Temples. There are thousands of small shops, that sell articles of worship like flowers and sweets near. The business of board and lodging of pilgrims and worshippers provides employment to thousands of local people. Maharashtra Government has already given permission to many other businesses but keeping mum on Temples, which is indeed a cause of concern among the Hindus.
It seems Uddhav Thackeray has forgotten his roots, his party came to prominence only due to Hindutva, but since he assumed the power, he has only dented the Hindutva in every possible way. Palghar Sadhu lynching was the biggest blot on Thackeray Government, they also arrested many Hindus when they were celebrating Ram Janmbhoomi foundation laying ceremony. He should keep this in mind that Government can’t succeed while suppressing the majority.
