<span style="color: #222222;">The Maharashtra unit of the BJP today announced its support for a token fast to be observed by various religious bodies on 13th of October to demand reopening of temples in the State amid the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Earlier in August, the party had staged Ring the Bell agitation across the State, demanding reopening of places of worship, which have remained shut for over seven months in light of the pandemic. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR Correspondent reports that in an official statement, the BJP's State Unit Chief Chandrakant Patil said, the State Government has given permission to open liquor shops, restaurants and beer bars, but has kept temples and other religious places closed for over seven months despite repeated demands by the devotees. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He further said the BJP has decided to extend its support to the token fast, which will be undertaken by heads of various religious bodies on October 13th. He added that the party workers have been asked to join the cause in their respective districts. He said the agitation will be held outside temples across the State from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Addressing a press conference, State BJP Chief Spokesman Keshav Upadhyay said in Shirdi, a major pilgrimage site, the agitation will be held under the leadership of Acharya Tushar Bhosale, head of BJP's State spiritual front. He said, flower-sellers and other small traders who depend on temples for their livelihood will also join the fast.</span><br />