Issue of the altercation between the governor and the CM of Maharashtra regarding the ‘secularism comment’ on the temple opening issue, has probably become a matter of worry for New Delhi.

On Oct 13, 2020, Maharashtra Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari questioned the Maharashtra government’s decision to not reopen temples. He had asked Uddhav Thackeray whether he had “turned secular”, a rhetoric which was and still being criticized by various quarters of observers in politics and media. The chief minister of Maharashtra hit back saying that he did not need a Hindutva certificate from the Governor.

This situation started when Koshyari, on Monday had written a  letter to the Chief Minister questioning as to why the temples were still kept shut in the state while other activities like ‘bars and restaurants’ were allowed to be kept open. The governor further had stated in that letter that our gods and goddesses have been condemned to stay under lockdown.

The Governor reminded Thackeray that the latter had been a strong votary of Hindutva. He had said that the CM had publicly supported the devotion for Lord Rama by visiting Ayodhya after taking charge as the chief minister. The governor further added that the CM had visited the Vithhal Rukmini Mandi in Pandharpur and had performed the puja on Ashadi Ekadashi. The Governor went on to ask whether Thackeray had deserted his Hindutva and adopted secularism. The Governor had also written to Thackeray-“I wonder whether you have been receiving godly foreboding to keep postponing the reopening of the place of worship again and again or have you suddenly turned secular yourselves, the term you hated?” He also asserted in his writing that places of worship were reopened in Delhi on June 6 and in other places across the country on June 3.

In his reply, (sent to the governor on Thursday) Thackeray wrote back a letter saying that the state’s primary duty is to look after the citizen’s health and welfare and opening up abruptly would not be in the best interests of the people. He further said in his reply that he did not need a certificate of Hindutva from the Governor. Thackeray in his reply threw a question back to Koshiyari reminding him about the oath he took as a Governor. The CM also asked the governor that had he not accepted secularism that is an important part of the Constitution. In a reference to the recent sensationalism created by Kangana Ranaut, without taking her name, Thackeray added in his reply that his Hindutva does not allow him to welcome a person into the state, who compares the state to POK.

In the matter related to the reopening of temples, CM said he would look into the issue and take a decision soon. In New Delhi, Home Minister, Amit Shah, reacted to the altercation between the governor and the CM of Maharashtra stating that the governor should have chosen his words more carefully.

The author is a student member of Amity Centre of Happiness.