VIP Entry Sparks Controversy: Shrikant Shinde Enters Mahakaleshwar Temple's Sanctum Despite Ban, Probe Ordered

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s MP son Shrikant Shinde has courted controversy after he was allowed entry into the ‘garbha griha’ (sanctum-sanctorum) of the Mahakaleshwar temple despite a ban, prompting the authorities to order a probe.

Shinde, who represents Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra's Thane district, entered the sanctum-sanctorum with his wife and two others to worship the deity on Thursday evening.  This is the fourth incident in the last four months when VIPs were allowed to enter the sanctum- sanctorum. The darshan of Maharashtra CM’s son Shrikant, his wife and two others was so important that the rules were set aside.

At around 5:30 pm, they reached there. Security in-charge Jayant Singh Rathod was reportedly present at that time. All four did darshan and puja in the sanctum-sanctorum for about six minutes. Devotees who were present in the temple and knew that entry to the sanctum-sanctorum was closed for the past year, spread the news.

The controversy erupted after a video of the incident went viral The opposition Congress took strong objection to the incident, saying VIPs were allowed entry into the sanctum-sanctorum despite a ban while common citizens had to wait in queues for hours for ‘darshan’. Party’s MLA from Tarana Mahesh Parmar on Friday said, “While a common devotee has to stand in long queues and wait for hours for the darshan of Lord Mahakal, the VIPs were allowed to enter the garbha-griha despite a ban on entering it.” “This is against rules and we strongly oppose it,” he told reporters.

Hitting back, Shrikant Shinde said the opposition has an allergy to going to temples. “They have an allergy even if we go to the temple. They don’t take darshan and stop others from doing so,” Shinde told reporters in Mumbai.

Expressing displeasure over the episode, collector-cum-ex-officio chairman of the Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee Neeraj Kumar Singh said, “Nobody is allowed to enter the garbha-griha. This (Shinde’s) is an unauthorised entry and I have directed the temple administrator to take immediate action.”

Administrator Ganesh Dhakad said a probe has been ordered and action will be taken against the inspector responsible for overseeing entry and other aspects of the sanctum-sanctorum.