COVID-19: Physical distancing goes for a toss in Pandharpur as Prakash Ambedkar launches protest to reopen temples in state

Prakash Ambedkar of Vanchit Bahujana Aghadi (VBA), former MP and grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar has taken a aggressive stance in demanding reopening of temples in the Maharashtra. 

Regarding this, The VBA leader reached in Pandharpur at the Vitthal Mandir on Monday and demanded to reopen places of worship. Ambedkar started the protest in the area on Monday and a big crowd was spotted during the protests. During the protest physical distancing among the protesters went for a toss and no one was wearing masks in the protest. Around eight hundred to one thousand activists participated in the agitation in Pandharpur.

When asked about the physical distancing rules Ambedkar said, "We are not here to follow the rules, but to break the rules." 

Prakash Ambedkar said, "Even though there is police security in Pandharpur, we will carry out our agitation. After our agitation, all the temples in the state will be open. There will be no more agitation after this to open temples. I will persuade the government to reopen the temples.” 

He also criticized the BJP. Instead of ringing the bell, BJP should tell the central government and demand an order to reopen the temples in state, said Prakash Ambedkar.

विठ्ठल मंदिर दर्शनासाठी उघडा, वारकऱ्यांच्या आंदोलनाला पाठिंबा देण्यासाठी वंचित बहुजन आघाडीचे नेते प्रकाश आंबेडकर होणार सहभागी, मंदिराबाहेर वारकरी मोठ्या संख्येने जमले @VBAforIndiapic.twitter.com/SoIcPYNTID

— Lokmat (@MiLOKMAT) August 31, 2020

सरकारला भान राहिलेलं नाही. नाही तर आम्हाला आंदोलन करण्याची गरज भासली नसती- प्रकाश आंबेडकर #PandharpurProtest#PrakashAmbedkar
वाचा बातमी- https://t.co/UO6EXgxfsXpic.twitter.com/uSfneyrPb3

— Lokmat (@MiLOKMAT) August 31, 2020