Protesting the continuous closure of temples and other places of worship, the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party launched a 'shankhnaad' agitation all over the state demanding reopening of the temples.
As a part of the protest, BJP workers under the leadership of state president Chandrakant Patil held protest outside Kasba Peth Ganpati Mandir in Pune, demanding reopening of religious places in Maharashtra.
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As a part of the protest, BJP workers under the leadership of state president Chandrakant Patil held protest outside Kasba Peth Ganpati Mandir in Pune, demanding reopening of religious places in Maharashtra. | ANI
The BJP agitation came barely four days after the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan's missive to the Maharashtra government asking it to curb crowded festivities for the Dahi-Handi and Ganeshotsav festivals, both mega-crowd pullers in view of the potential threats from the Covid-19 'third wave'. | ANI
The BJP agitation came barely four days after the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan's missive to the Maharashtra government asking it to curb crowded festivities for the Dahi-Handi and Ganeshotsav festivals, both mega-crowd pullers in view of the potential threats from the Covid-19 'third wave'. | ANI
As a part of the protest, BJP workers under the leadership of state president Chandrakant Patil held protest outside Kasba Peth Ganpati Mandir in Pune, demanding reopening of religious places in Maharashtra. | ANI
Many BJP activists in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Aurangabad and other districts, priests, women devotees and others slammed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, raising slogans, carrying black placards and posters, for deliberately trampling upon peoples' religious sentiments by keeping temples and other worship places shut.
The BJP agitation came barely four days after the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan's missive to the Maharashtra government asking it to curb crowded festivities for the Dahi-Handi and Ganeshotsav festivals, both mega-crowd pullers in view of the potential threats from the Covid-19 'third wave'.
The state Health Minister Rajesh Tope has already warned that the third wave could be a possible 'Tsunami' over 6-million (60-Lakh) cases in the state, or triple the figures notched in the first wave in 2020, and higher than the figures recorded in the first and second waves.
In view of the potential threats sounded by the Centre and the state, the Congress Spokesperson Sachin Sawant has attacked the BJP for once again "playing temple politics", and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar warned that even the 'Jan Ashirwad Yatras' could lead to a surge in Covid cases.
Some BJP activists alleged that while the shutters were downed on temples, other places of worship like mosques or churches were allowed to function as the MVA government wanted to appease minorities and threatened to forcibly enter temples.
(Wiith inputs from agencies)
