Maharashtra minister Jitendra Awhad performs 'aarti' at temple despite Covid-19 restrictions

Jitendra Awhad. File Pic

At a time when religious places remain closed for common people in Maharashtra in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, state Housing Minister and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad visited a temple of Lord Ganesh and performed aarti, inviting criticism from the BJP.

Awhad took darshan of the famous Navshya Ganpati temple located on the Gangapur Road and performed 'aarti', before leaving for Trimbakeshwar en route to Mumbai, sources said. Notably, the Nashik district administration on July 17 decided to ban the assembly of people at tourist spots in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Social, political and religious gatherings also remain banned to avoid crowding.

Meanwhile, the BJP has criticised the minister and accused the government of adopting "double standards" on the issue of allowing people to visit religious places.
The NCP and the Congress are constituents of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. The Covid-19 tally in Nashik rose by 142 on July 18 to touch 4,01,226, while the day also saw four deaths and 126 recoveries, an official said.

Also Read: Covid-19: Maharashtra reports 9,000 new cases, 180 deaths

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