A priest in Kanpur, India, has been ousted from his temple duties after a controversial photo of him allegedly consuming non-vegetarian food went viral, sparking outrage and raising questions about religious practices.
Key Points
- A priest in Kanpur was allegedly mobbed after a photo of him eating non-vegetarian food circulated online.
- The priest was expelled from his duties at the Baba Shri Bhuteshwar Dham Temple by his father, the 'mahant'.
- The priest's father alleges his son was assaulted by a group accompanying a religious procession.
- Police initiated preventive action against the priest for breach of peace, and his current location is unknown.
- The viral photo sparked anger among some locals, leading to a confrontation at the temple.
A priest, who was allegedly mobbed here after a purported photograph of him eating non-vegetarian food went viral, has been expelled from duties at the temple by the mahant -- his father -- while his whereabouts are unknown, officials said on Tuesday.
Santosh Giri, chief priest (mahant) of the Baba Shri Bhuteshwar Dham Temple in Keshavpuram, said the person in the viral photograph is his son Prashant Giri alias Golu Pandit.
"I am the mahant of the temple, not my son. As soon as I came to know that he had eaten non-vegetarian food, I expelled him from service at the temple," Santosh Giri told reporters.
Assault and Police Intervention
He alleged that a group of people accompanying a religious procession assaulted his son at the temple.
"Some people, including Rahul Chandel, Manish Chaudhary and Ajay Chauhan, along with a few others, beat up my son and said he could not stay here," he said.
"When my wife and daughter-in-law tried to save him, they were also assaulted," he added.
Giri said he has not been able to contact his son since police initiated preventive action against him.
"I do not know where my son is now. I am very disturbed and leaving everything to Baba Bhuteshwar (Lord Shiva)," he said.
Controversy Erupts Over Viral Photo
Controversy erupted after a photograph allegedly showing Prashant Giri consuming non-vegetarian food went viral on social media, triggering anger among some locals.
According to police, around 50-60 people gathered at the temple on Sunday night and demanded an explanation from the priest. When he hesitated to come out, some members of the crowd allegedly entered the temple premises, dragged him outside and questioned him about the photograph.
He was allegedly assaulted during the confrontation.
Police later initiated preventive action against Prashant Giri for breach of peace and said the matter is under examination.
Prashant Giri had been living in a room within the temple premises, and performing priestly duties.
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