UJJAIN: BJYM workers broke barriers, damaged property at Mahakal temple in Ujjain and got into a scuffle with security staff during the visit of the morcha’s national president Tejasvi Surya on Wednesday morning.
Videos of the ruckus have gone viral.
The temple authorities immediately informed Mahakal police station and by night, a case had been registered.
Two persons — Vikram and Raghvendra — were named in the FIR but no arrests had been made till midnight. “We are going through CCTV footage to identify the rest of the culprits,” Mahakal police station in-charge Munendra Gautam told TOI. Police have booked BJYM workers for assault to deter a public servant from duty and ‘voluntarily causing hurt on provocation’.
Local BJP unit blames temple authorities over ruckus
The local BJP unit, on the other hand, accuses the temple of erecting an ‘excessive number’ of barriers and “failing to make arrangements for Surya’s visit” despite prior information.
Surya was in Ujjain as part of the Tiranga campaign. Temple assistant administrator Mulchand Junwal said, “We had received information of his visit. Three people were given permission, respectfully, to accompany him to the Nandi hall. They were allowed to enter, but the other workers created a ruckus.”
As the BJYM workers burst through the barricades to reach Nandi hall, raising slogans, pilgrims waiting in line to offer prayers got scared and left via different exits.
Security staff could not hold back the BJYM workers. Priests tried to intervene but failed to calm the agitated group for over 15 minutes. “They should have respected and upheld the dignity of the temple,” temple management committee member Pradeep Pujari said.
Ujjain BJP president Vivek Joshi blamed the temple administration for the incident. “We have been receiving complaints from common devotees. Temple authorities have carried out excessive barricading. They were given information about the BJYM national president’s visit, but they failed to make arrangements,” he told TOI.
Surya could not be contacted for his comments on the incident.
