Altercation erupts over temple trustee election in Kundapur: Complaints filed
Kundapur: In a recent development surrounding the election of the third trustee of Shri Kalikamba Temple in Barkur, Kundapur, the Kundapur Rural Police Station received both a complaint of physical attack and a counter-complaint of a death threat.
The incident took place during the temple trustee election held on December 25. Ratish (37) from Koteshwara allegedly confronted Krishnayya during a meeting related to the election. Ratish accused Krishnayya of attending the meeting to support a candidate in exchange for Rs 500.
Following the meeting, Ratish contacted Krishnayya's son, Sharath, over the phone. However, the conversation escalated into verbal abuse from Sharath's end. Later, at 'Archana Bar', Sharath reportedly attacked Ratish with a razor, causing an injury to his hand.
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In response, Ratish filed a complaint with the Kundapur Rural Police, alleging physical assault and injury by Sharath.
In a counter-complaint, the police were informed that Sridhar (41) from Gopadi village had attended the trustee election meeting in the company of his uncle Krishnayya. On their way back, Ratish allegedly verbally abused Krishnayya over the phone, instructing him to meet near 'Archana Bar.' Accompanied by Sridhar and Sharath, Krishnayya confronted Ratish outside the bar, leading to an altercation.
During the incident, Ratish reportedly attacked Krishnayya, and when Sridhar intervened, Ratish's companion, Raghavendra Jadu, allegedly attempted to injure Krishnayya with a stone. In the scuffle, Jadu hit Sridhar in the chest with the stone and issued a death threat.
The Kundapur Rural Police registered cases and counter-cases related to the incidents, and an investigation is currently underway.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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