Maha Guv and CM fight it out over Hindutva, Fadnavis flays Uddhav: Nagas mourn CM Chang's demise

Amid the row;  Sharad Pawar says, he has "conveyed" his regarding the Governor's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and exuded confidence that "he (Modi) too would have noticed the intemperate language that has been used" by the Governor".

BJP leader and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says - "The Governor forwarded the representations to the CM for appropriate action. From the response that I have seen in the media, I think the CM’s answer is unfortunate". 

 New Delhi: A bitter, acrimonious and unwarranted war of words has been triggered between Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over the issue of Hindutva and 'reopening' of temples as part of unlockdown exercise.

In his strongly worded letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Koshyari said - “I wonder if you are receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of the places of worship time and again or have you suddenly turned ‘secular' yourself, the term you hated?”

Responding to this unprecedented kind of missive, the Chief Minister - whose regime has not allowed opening of noted temples like Shirdi and Siddhivinayak yet - shot back: “Do you mean that opening up religious places is Hindutva, and not opening them means being secular? Secularism is a crucial base of the oath you took as Governor. Do you not believe it?”

Mr Thackeray, who is heading Sena-NCP-Congress alliance regime, added that he does not need any preaching on Hindutva. “Sir, you mention Hindutva in your letter, but I do not need any certificate or any teaching on Hindutva from you. My Hindutva does not permit me to welcome home a person who called my Maharashtra or Mumbai, Pakistan occupied Kashmir.” The last reference is to cinestar Kangana Ranaut.

Mumbai city witnessed protest in front of famous Siddhivinayak temple with a large number of devotees taking strong exception to the fact that while the state government has allowed opening of liquor shops but temples are being kept closed.

Protesters including priests and local BJP leaders have accused that the Chief Minister is incapable of taking decision on his own as he has to keep Congress and NCP happy.

"Liquor and wine shops have been opened, even with home delivery options. But who will think about those who want to visit the temple for mental peace?," said BJP leader Pravin Kumar Darekar. It is pertinent to understand that the government is 'not thinking' about small traders whose livelihood depends on temples. 

Another leader Prasad Lad said: "We are demanding that we should be allowed to enter the Siddhivinayak temple. If they don't give us entry, then we will force our way into the temple. This is a pan-Maharashtra movement".

In his letter the Governor said - "You have been a strong votary of Hindutva. You had publicly espoused your devotion for Lord Rama by visiting Ayodhya after taking charge as the Chief Minister. You had visited the Vitthal Rukmini Mandir in Pandharpur and performed the puja on Ashadhi Ekadashi. I wonder if you are receiving any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of the places of worships time and again or have you suddenly turned 'secular' yourself, the term you hated?" 

Mr Koshyari in his letter also wrote: "Most unfortunately four months after your famous public announcement, you extended ban on the opening of the places of worship in the state yet again, the announcement of which was made by you during your televised address to the people on Oct 11, 2020".

The Governor further complained: "It is ironical that while on one hand the state government has permitted the opening of bars, restaurants and beaches, on the other hand our Gods and Goddesses have been condemned to stay in the lockdown".

In his response to the Governor, Chief Minister Thackeray wrote: "Received your letter asking for reopening of all places of worship. The state government is thinking about this. But we do care about the lives of people of Maharashtra". 

He said: "The way we imposed lockdown slowly it is necessary to lift the lockdown slowly. We are taking all care in the battle against coronavirus by implementing health campaigns and making people aware about it".

The episode would further intensify BJP's tussle with its erstwhile alliance partner Shiv Sena.

The differences between the two parties started since 2014, when the BJP - which was for long happy playing second fiddle to Sena, put up a better show in Lok Sabha polls and also managed to return to power in the state polls with its own Chief Minister.

Sena has time and again showed its unhappiness playing second fiddle to the BJP.

In 2019 after contesting the state polls together, Shiv Sena deserted NDA boat and did not mind joining hands with its longtime rivals Congress and NCP to form a coalition regime.

Lately, the BJP and the Sena leaders have sweat it out in media over Mumbai police probe into the death of film star Sushant Singh Rajput and also Bollywood's alleged involvement in drug menace.

Earlier on Tuesday, Oct 13, the Mumbai police have arrested BJP leader Prasad Lad and other party workers during a protest held outside Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. BJP workers also staged protests outside the Shirdi Sai Baba temples across the state and demanded the opening of all the temples in the state.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar - considered the man or the spinal cord and unifying factor among the alliance partners behind Uddhav ministry - has slammed Governor's letter to the Chief Minister.

"In the very Preamble of our Constitution the word ‘Secular’ is added that equates and shields all religions and hence the Chair of the Chief Minister must uphold such tenets of the Constitution. Unfortunately Hon. Governor’s letter to the Chief Minister invokes the connotation as if written to the leader of a political party."

Pawar also said - "I have conveyed my views regarding this letter to Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. I am sure he too would have noticed the intemperate language that has been used".

Devendra Fadnavis says Governor is within his rights to forward public representations.

He says: "The state government opened liquor shops, bars, and on the basis of the letter issued by the Tourism Department, their timings have also been extended. So, why are temples shut? All other states in the country have opened temples and so far, no instances of COVID-19 spread have been reported".

"Temples can be kept open with social distancing. Temples are not just places of infusing strength to the people but also an entire economy is dependent on them. Flower sellers, people selling pooja materials, tea vendors who are unemployed now need to be taken into consideration. Not a penny has been given to such people and they are not being helped by the government. We have a clear stand that if you can open liquor shops, why not temples? Temples should be opened up and that’s why BJP staged a protest today."

"The Governor forwarded the representations to the CM for appropriate action. From the response that I have seen in the media, I think the CM’s answer is unfortunate. I am surprised that such injustice is being meted out to temples in a state ruled by Shiv Sena which claims to espouse the cause of Hindutva," the BJP leader added.

Nagas mourn death of a popular Minister due to Covid

A popular Naga Christian leader and state Forest Minister C M Chang died

of Covid19 on Monday.

The 77-year-old Chang was admitted to a government-run Hospital with suspicion of Typhoid problem 

but he subsequently tested positive for Corona and later succumbed on Monday, doctors attending him

said.

Chang, who had been suffering from diabetic and hypertension also.

Nagaland state in the northeastern part of India inhabited by tribal Christians - mostly Baptists -

so far had 17 casualties while the number of cases shot up to 7,019.

A bureaucrat-turned-politician, Chang was elected to Indian Parliament as lone member from the small state of Nagaland in 2009 and continued till 2012 before returning to provincial politics.

Late Chang was one of the pioneering civil servants from the remote Tuensang area and was deeply involved in shaping the destiny of the people of the less developed district. 

During his younger days, he was a popular student leader and took up causes for his community Chang tribe in remote Tuensang district adjoining Myanmar.

A jovial person, Chang sported moustache in an unusual manner and often joked that it was his 'fashion statement'.

Nagaland government has declared a two days State mourning on October 13 and 14 in his honour.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, state Governor R N Ravi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio have condoled his demise.

"Saddened by the passing away of C M Chang, Minister in the Nagaland Government. He was experienced in areas of administration and policy, first as a bureaucrat and later as a political leader. He worked hard for Nagaland’s progress. Condolences to his family and friends," Prime Minister Modi said in a statement.

Late Chang's contribution first as a civil servant and later as a politician and minister would be cherished in his home town Noksen as the region remains one of the many backward areas in the state.

Under Chang's several important water and road projects were taken up lately, state officials say. 

Meanwhile, India’s Covid10 tally went past 71,000,00 with 66,732 fresh cases. The recovery rates went up to 86.36 percent,, according to the federal Health ministry officials on Monday..

Nationwide, the death toll climbed to 1,09,150.

Last month Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi died due to Coronavirus.

ends  

Seven Indians kidnapped in Libya released; 'travel ban' continues 

 

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday announced that  

seven Indian nationals who had been abducted at Asshwerif in Libya on 14 September 

were finally released on Sunday, Oct 11. 

The Government of India has also made it clear that there is a "ban on travel of Indian nationals to Libya", irrespective of the purpose, since May 2016 because of the "security situation" in that country.

"We are happy to inform that the seven Indian nationals who had been abducted at Asshwerif in Libya on 14 September were finally released yesterday (11 October). Our Ambassador to Tunisia, Puneet Roy Kundal, spoke to them over phone after they were handed over by the abductors to the company Al Shola Al Mudia," an MEA statement said here.

Seven Indian nationals who were abducted hailed from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. 

"All of them are in good health and are currently staying in the company’s premises in Brega. We are trying to complete requisite formalities to enable their return to India," the MEA said.

The Ministry also conveyed "sincere thanks" to the Libyan authorities and the tribal elders from the region for their steadfast cooperation in securing the release of all seven abducted Indian nationals "unharmed". 

"Both our Ambassador to Tunisia and our local consular staff were in constant touch with them and the company all through the crisis. The Ministry would like to reiterate that there is a ban on travel of Indian nationals to Libya, irrespective of the purpose, since May 2016 because of the security situation there," it said. 

On Sept 28, MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava had said: "We have been closely monitoring the developments in Libya and have noted the progress in intra-Libyan dialogue facilitated by the Kingdom of Morocco and the talks in Montreux, Switzerland under the auspices of the UN Support Mission in Libya".

Seven Indian nationals, hailing from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, were kidnapped at a place called Asshwerif in Libya on September 14. 

They were working at a construction and oil field supplies company and were kidnapped on their way to the Tripoli airport to catch a flight to India.

In September 2015, an advisory was issued by the Government of India for Indian nationals to 'avoid travelling' to Libya in view of the security situation there. 

Later, in May 2016, the Government imposed a complete travel ban irrespective of the purpose in view of the much deteriorated security situation. This travel ban is still in force, the MEA had said.

                                                  Freed after a near month of captivity 

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