Stones pelted at chariot during religious procession near Panchamukhi Nagadevata Temple in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Stones were pelted during a religious gathering near the Panchamukhi Nagadevata temple in Jagjivan Ram Nagar on Sunday night, injuring a girl. An FIR has been registered in connection with the case. According to a complaint, about three to four individuals pelted stones at a chariot during a procession near the temple.

According to the complainant, Shashikumar N, a resident of V S Garden in the city, he has been participating in religious worship for over two decades. The incident reportedly occurred on January 4 between 8.15 pm and 9 pm, when a large number of devotees were proceeding towards the temple with a chariot.

The complainant alleged that three to four youths pelted stones at the chariot during the procession, resulting in a girl sustaining head injury. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The complaint further claimed that similar incidents have occurred in the past during religious ceremonies in the locality, with two or three such episodes allegedly reported earlier.

Devotees have expressed concerns that repeated disturbance during religious events is creating fear among worshippers. The complaint also highlighted broader social issues in the area, alleging instances of atrocities against Dalits, given the significant Dalit population residing in the locality.

Om Shakti devotees have urged authorities to take appropriate legal action against individuals allegedly involved in acts that hurt religious sentiments and target vulnerable communities. Similarly, Ayyappa Swamy devotees have demanded strict actions against those accused of deliberately disrupting religious activities through stone-pelting. (ANI)