Mob attacks priest over objection to dishwashing outside temple in Rajasthan's Kota

Kota (Rajasthan), Aug 16 (PTI) A group of around two dozen unidentified people attacked a priest here after he objected to some people allegedly washing utensils meant for non-vegetarian food outside a temple, police said on Friday.

The incident happened Thursday when Sohan Lal, the priest of Srinath Charan Chowki temple in Motipura village, they said.

Lal in his complaint alleged that around 20-30 people attacked him and he and his two companions had to hide behind the temple door, bolting it from inside, to save themselves.

The attackers threatened to kill him and bomb the temple, Lal added.

The priest claimed that some people from the Muslim community had cooked some non-vegetarian food at a dargah alongside the temple Thursday evening and insisted on washing the utensils at a water reservoir outside the temple.

Kaithun Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Beni Prasad said that a case has been registered against unidentified people under section 298 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and efforts are on to nab them.

Meanwhile, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists on Friday submitted a memorandum at the Office of Inspector General, Kota Range, demanding immediate action against the alleged attackers. PTI COR OZ VN VN