The recent attempt by a group of young Muslim men to forcibly enter the Trimbakeshwar Temple near Nashik has sparked a heated controversy. In a press conference, Acharya Tushar Bhosale, convener of the spiritual cell of the Maharashtra BJP, shed light on the situation, and raised questions about the motives behind the incident, revealing the criminal records of the individuals involved. Details regarding the same were highlighted in a Free Press Journal report. It is being said that he also challenged statements made by Sanjay Raut, a leader from the Shiv Sena (UBT), regarding the temple's alleged century-old tradition.
Disputing the Temple Tradition Claim
Acharya Bhosale challenged Sanjay Raut's assertion about the existence of a long-standing tradition at the Trimbakeshwar Temple. He argued that there has never been a tradition of Muslims entering the temple and lighting incense sticks, and instead, they would display the incense sticks from a nearby square. Bhosale further argued that a video presented as evidence of this tradition is misleading and lacks credibility.
Unveiling Criminal Records
During the press conference, he presented documents to support his claim that the individuals involved in the recent temple incident have criminal records, and highlighted the case of Salmaan Aqeel Sayyad, who was accused in a 2018 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case involving the assault of a minor Hindu girl. Bhosale revealed that other individuals attempting to enter the temple have serious criminal records related to drug supply and arms trade and that these records raise concerns about their motives behind the incident.
Call for SIT Investigation
Given the severity of the offenses associated with the individuals involved, Acharya Bhosale emphasized the need for the government-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine their motives thoroughly. Officials believe that SIT's involvement will help shed light on the underlying factors behind the incident and ensure a fair investigation.
Responding to Calls for Local Resolution
In response to Raj Thackeray's suggestion which mentioned that the villagers should handle the issue themselves without external interference, Acharya Bhosale argued that the Trimbakeshwar Temple is not solely a village temple. He asserted that the same belongs to the entire Hindu community, giving everyone with faith in the deity the right to voice their opinion in this matter.
About Trimbakeshwar Temple Row
This issue has gained widespread attention as a group of Muslims was allegedly denied the opportunity to pray at the Trimbakeshwar Mahadev temple in Nashik district. While the temple trustees refute the allegations and assert that the individuals were simply asked to follow the temple's dress code, the controversy has taken on political dimensions. Political parties have engaged in accusations, with each party blaming the other for communalizing the issue. Additionally, the incident has ignited a broader debate on religious freedom, with contrasting views on the temple's dress code and its accessibility to people of all faiths.
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