Temple Priests Stage Protest in Jaipur Over Police Misconduct During Maha Shivratri
Tensions flared in the walled city of Jaipur on Monday as priests of the Tadkeshwar Mahadev Temple staged a four-hour protest by closing the temple's main gate. This action followed an alleged incident of police misconduct during the Maha Shivratri celebrations the previous day, sparking unrest among the religious community.
Protest Details and Temple Access
The main entrance of the temple was shut from 12 noon to 4 pm, effectively limiting access for devotees. However, a smaller gate remained open, allowing those wishing to offer their prayers to enter the premises. This partial closure was a symbolic gesture by the priests to highlight their grievances while still accommodating the spiritual needs of the faithful.
Incident Leading to the Unrest
The protest stemmed from an incident on Sunday involving Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Suresh Sharma. He is accused of misbehaving with temple priests and devotees while attempting to manage the large crowd gathered at the temple during the Maha Shivratri festival. According to Vimal Sharma, one of the priests, the second phase of the ritual was due, and as per tradition, the mahant and his family perform the puja first before devotees are allowed darshan.
Vimal Sharma recounted, "At that time, policeman Sharma arrived and began pulling devotees out of the crowd. Several devotees and members of our family were injured." He added that the temple was shut for nearly two hours on Sunday evening in protest, but as no action was taken against the policeman by Monday morning, they decided to escalate their demonstration by closing the main gate again.
Priests' Demands and Police Response
During the protest on Monday, the priests demanded the suspension of ASI Suresh Sharma. In talks between the police and the temple authorities, the police requested three days to decide on further action. The priests agreed to this timeline but warned of a larger agitation if appropriate measures were not taken within the stipulated period.
Immediate Action Taken by Police
In response to the escalating situation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Karan Sharma confirmed that ASI Sharma had been removed from his field posting at the Manak Chowk police station. He will be reassigned to office duties pending a thorough investigation into the complaint. Assistant Commissioner of Police Surendra Singh Ranawat has been assigned to probe the matter, ensuring a formal inquiry into the allegations of misconduct.
Political Intervention and Assurances
Adding to the developments, BJP's Hawa Mahal MLA Balmukundacharya visited the temple on Monday. He offered assurances to the priests and devotees that action would be taken against the offending officer, highlighting the political attention the incident has garnered. This intervention underscores the broader implications of the protest within the local community and governance structures.
The incident has raised concerns about police conduct during religious events and the need for sensitivity in crowd management. As the investigation proceeds, the temple community awaits justice, hoping for a resolution that respects both religious traditions and public order.
