Congress protests ‘forced' entry into Mahakal temple sanctum by BJP MLA & son

Time of India

23-07-2025

Ujjain: Congress workers staged a protest outside Mahakal temple administrator's office on Wednesday over the alleged forced entry into the sanctum sanctorum by BJP MLA and his son last Monday.
Led by city Congress president Mukesh Bhati, party workers demanded an FIR against the son of BJP legislator and called for removal of two officials involved in the investigation. Congress protesters marched in the rain from the city party office to Mahakal temple administration office, carrying placards. They demanded immediate arrest of Rudraksh Shukla, son of BJP legislator from Indore-3 Golu Shukla.
The protesting Congress leaders alleged that on the second Monday of Shravan month during Bhasma Aarti, the legislator and his son forcibly entered the sanctum sanctorum, disregarding the rules.
They described the incident as a violation of the temple's dignity and 'religious decorum.'
Shukla refuted the allegations and told TOI that he did not enter the sanctum. "There were over 6,000 devotees with me. We did not enter the sanctum and offered prayers from the Nandi Hall," he said.
The protesting Congress leaders were also up in arms against the Mahakal temple administration and sought resignation of its administrator Pratham Kaushik over the incident.
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Bhati said that deputy administrator SN Soni, who is part of the investigation committee, was himself responsible for protocol violations and therefore culpable.
"Alongside him is security in-charge Jayant Rathore, who, as ASP, is accused of unauthorised entry into the sanctum sanctorum. How can an impartial investigation be expected from them?" he said.
The Congress demanded that the general public be allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum daily from 12 to 4 pm.
Soni refuted Congress charges and said that he was part of the investigation committee following the orders of the temple committee's chairman and the district collector. "I am complying with the orders and will continue to do so," he said.
The protesting Congress leaders were also of the view that BJP has 'hijacked' entry to the temple. Party leader Maya Rajesh Trivedi questioned, "Has the Mahakal temple become personal property of BJP leaders? Ordinary devotees can't even reach the temple's threshold, but all doors are open for ministers, legislators, and their families."
They insisted that the temple administration clarify whether the rules were same for everyone or if there were special exemptions for BJP leaders.
State BJP spokesperson Rajpal Singh Sisodia said that the BJP is a party that values discipline. "Our leaders, workers, and their families are expected to maintain discipline. If anyone breaches discipline, our president takes corrective action," he said.