Women activist and Bhoomata Ranragini Brigade (BRB) leader Trupti Desai was attacked at the Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur in the Indian state of Maharashtra after a minor scuffle inside the famous shrine.
Maharashtra: Trupti Desai stopped by local women from entering inner sanctum of Mahalakshmi Temple (earlier visuals)https://t.co/J0LQNOnFBy
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 13, 2016
Desai on Wednesday night took darshan of goddess Mahalaxmi by entering into the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple by defying the “dress code” prescribed by police and priests. The activist was hospitalized after she suffered injuries in the scuffle with priests and devotees at the temple.
“They pulled our hair, tore my clothes, abused us. I think the attackers planned to kill me,” Desai told ANI from her hospital bed.
She also asked Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to look into the matter, and take action against the people concerned.
Attackers pulled hair, tore my clothes, planned to kill me at Mahalaxmi Temple: Trupti Desai https://t.co/a9fTqg4pSNpic.twitter.com/RanaGd6m7V
— Zee News (@ZeeNews) April 14, 2016
“There were people who came to attack us… even the priest was abusing us,” Desai alleged, adding that the attackers were heard yelling that she “shouldn’t be allowed to get out alive”.They were reportedly trying to prevent Desai and other BRB activists from entering its sanctum-sanctorum dressed in a salwar kameez, instead of the recommended saree. Notwithstanding the “advice” given by the police to wear sari inside ‘girbh griha’ of the temple, the woman activist entered the inner sanctum in salwar kameez, though some priests and devotees tried to block her way.