Now Reading: Kanwar pilgrims clash with guards at Ujjain’s Mahakal temple
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Kanwar pilgrims clash with guards at Ujjain’s Mahakal temple
Around 40 to 50 Kanwar pilgrims stormed the Nandi Hall of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Wednesday afternoon and tried to enter the sanctum sanctorum without authorisation. Six security personnel…
Around 40 to 50 Kanwar pilgrims stormed the Nandi Hall of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Wednesday afternoon and tried to enter the sanctum sanctorum without authorisation. Six security personnel were injured when the group turned violent after being stopped. CCTV footage shows devotees pushing donation boxes aside and scuffling with guards.
Temple staff said the group broke barricades, damaged property and assaulted security personnel. Police brought the situation under control and removed the troublemakers. The temple management committee said it is identifying those involved and plans to take strict legal action, warning that religious faith cannot justify breaching security arrangements during the holy month of Sawan when the temple sees lakhs of devotees.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee, which reports to the Ujjain district administration, has the authority to ban individuals from entry under the Madhya Pradesh Religious Endowments Act. Similar breaches during the Sawan pilgrimage season have led to FIRs and temporary bans in past years. The injured security personnel may file a criminal complaint under Indian Penal Code sections for assault on public servants. With heavy footfall continuing through August, the committee is likely to deploy additional paramilitary forces at barricade points. The next hearing in any case filed will determine whether the accused face simple imprisonment or a more serious charge of rioting.
The temple management's decision to release CCTV footage suggests a deterrence strategy aimed at other pilgrims. The Sawan month runs until early September, so further incidents remain a risk.
Source: indiatoday.in
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
