VHP and Bajrang Dal hold massive protests in Maharashtra, demand reopening of temples soon

After a war of words between Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari over reopening of temples in the state, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and its affiliate Bajrang Dal on Saturday reiterated the demand through protests across the state. 

As reported, the famous Sai Baba temple in Nashik’s Shirdi was thronged by VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters who protested by beating drums and ringing bells. 

Shirdi was not the only place where protests happened. Vishva Hindu Parishad people were seen agitating in several cities across Maharashtra to press for the reopening of the temples.

In Nagpur, 11 temples were points of protest. "You have opened malls, markets, and even liquor shops. What is the problem with temples?" asked, Govind Shende, an office-bearer of the organization.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has also threatened a larger protest in the state if the government fails to reopen temples. The Hindu outfit has gone out to the extent of saying that they will break open the locks if their demands of reopening the temples for the public is not met soon.

BJP and Shiv Sena are involved in a tug of war over the re-opening of temples across Maharashtra. Earlier, the BJP had held protests outside the Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Mumbai and the Sai Baba sanctuary in Shirdi.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was also locked in a war of words with Uddhav Thackeray. Koshyari had written a letter to Uddhav demanding the opening of temples on the lines of Delhi.

"I wonder if you`re receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing re-opening or you've suddenly turned 'secular' yourself, the term you hated?" Koshyari had written in his letter.

Uddhav replied to the governor by saying, "as imposing lockdown all of a sudden was not right, revoking it completely at once will also not be a good thing. And yes, I am someone who follows Hindutva, my Hindutva doesn't need verification from you."