Police say Nagabhushanachar has been serving the temple for 22 years and had no complaints against him
TUMAKURU — Chaos erupted at a local temple in Tumakuru district after devotees accused a priest of inappropriately touching women visitors while applying vermilion on them. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, led to the priest being physically assaulted inside the temple premises before police intervention.
According to eyewitnesses, several women devotees alleged that the elderly priest, Nagabhushanachar, misbehaved with them while offering blessings. Their complaints quickly spread among the crowd, prompting angry devotees to surround the priest. Tempers flared, and some of them reportedly dragged him out and beat him up.
The video of the incident went viral on social media wherein the priest is being thrashed by devotees, alerting police.
Media reports quoted residents claiming that this was not the first such allegation against the priest. “Women had earlier complained about his behaviour, but no action was taken. Today, when it happened again, people lost their patience,” a devotee told was quoted as saying.
As the clip went viral, several social media users commented that they also had similar experience of misbehaviour of the priest in the past, though police say they have never received any such complaint.
According to the police, Nagabhushanachar has been serving the temple for 22 years and had no complaints against him.
The accused, however, denied the allegation saying he was only applying “kunkuma” on the forehead and neck of the devotees.
“We have registered a case and are verifying the allegations. Action will be taken based on the statements of the victims and eyewitnesses,” said a senior police officer from Tumakuru.
The incident has sparked outrage in the area, with many demanding a thorough probe and stricter monitoring of temple priests.
