Trupti Desai defies 'dress code' for darshan; scuffle breaks out at Kolhapur temple

In high drama, Bhoomata Ranragini Brigade leader Trupti Desai on Wednesday night took darshan of goddess Mahalaxmi by entering into sanctum sanctorum of the temple by defying the “dress code” prescribed by police and priests, amid 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

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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. Earlier in the day, Desai and other activists were taken into preventive custody by police when they tried to proceed towards the temple in a procession allegedly in violation of prohibitory orders. [caption id=“attachment_2707554” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Trupti Desai. IBNLive[/caption] Desai headed towards temple in night after she was detained by police during day time. She and other activists had organised the ‘Vijay’ rally in afternoon to mark “victory” for the cause of women who were recently allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple in a major departure from the long-standing tradition. Desai and her associates were stopped in Tararani Chowk by police where they had gathered to organise the procession. The atmosphere around the temple was tense and shops downed shutters as activists of Shiv Sena and other organisations gathered in the area after Desai insisted to take darshan of the deity, clad in salwar kameez instead of sari, the formal dress code suggested by police and priests. Deputy SP Bharatkumar Rane said police tried to convince Desai against going in procession but she did not budge. She was taken into preventive custody for maintaining law and order, he said. (With inputs from PTI)