Aakash Chopra gets bashed on Twitter after he questions reopening of religious places in 'Unlock 1.0'

India has been in a lockdown situation due to the coronavirus pandemic which hit the country in early March. Due to the spread of the virus across the globe, the Indian government also had to announce four consecutive phases of lockdown.

However, the fourth lockdown phase will end on May 31, 2020. The government of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the new provisions which will be followed in the country after the fourth lockdown ends.

As per MHA, the containment zones will have a lockdown extended till June 30. However, the non-containment zones will reopen (phase wise) from June 8. The religious places such as temple, churches, mosques and gurudwara will now be opened since the start of the second week of the month. These religious places have been closed since March.

“Religious places and places of worship for the public; hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services; and shopping malls will be permitted to open from 8 June 2020. The government will issue a set of guidelines in this regard,” a release from MHA read.

‘Why do we need the places of worship to open?’: Aakash Chopra

After this release came to light, former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra took to twitter to voice his opinions regarding this matter. According to him, he doesn’t understand what is the need to open the religious places which could invite mass gatherings during the lockdown.

He also compared them to malls and restaurants, stating that these places have financial implications. In his tweet on Saturday, he criticised the decision taken by the Indian government.

“Malls, Restaurants etc. have financial implications…and perhaps, that’s why it’s not feasible to keep them shut forever. But why do we need the places of worship to open for public?? God’s everywhere….isn’t it??” Chopra wrote on Twitter.

Malls, Restuarants etc. have financial implications…and perhaps, that’s why it’s not feasible to keep them shut forever. But why do we need the places of worship to open for public?? God’s everywhere….isn’t it??

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 30, 2020

However, this tweet by the cricketer-turned-commentator didn’t go down well with the netizens. According to several Twitter users, Chopra was in denial of the income of several people who work at these religious place.

Some of the fans showed their disappointment regarding the reluctance with the former player presented his argument. These were some of the tweets which Chopra received in reply to his criticism of the decision.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Sir, with due respect the religion is not less than any industry. All the workers, buisness man, transport Workers etc. of different religious places survive on that. We need to think for them also. @cricketaakash

— Saurav Malla (@SauravMalla7) May 30, 2020

The priests don't have income. Do they? Aren't they humans?

— Stay Home India. (@im_shank19) May 30, 2020

Akash..Didn't expected such one-sided thinking from you. Temples might not be like offices, but many have their livelihood dependent on temples, like flower sellers, prasad shops, pandits and many more.. Everything is living and equally contributing in India..

— Home Sapiens (@athomosapien) May 30, 2020

They’re not just “places of worship”, they generate employment and contribute to economy.

— ke (@urbansanyasiii) May 30, 2020

Okay then sir
Why to open malls, resto etc then?
You can order the stuff you get in mall online
And also you can order food online at your house 🙂
And movies are now getting released on ott platforms so
And place of worships should get open coz that's our tradition not malls.

— SMVAIDYA (@SmitVaidya2) May 30, 2020

Hi sir.Just to remind you that Hindu temples priest don't get funding from government or vatican. To support their livelihood Temples need to be opened. Also Deity is a living entity. We just cannot leave them alone. I want all the temple to be opened with precaution.

— उत्तराषाढा (@deepscientists) May 30, 2020