Priest Alleges Religious Sentiments Hurt, Panic Among Devotees During ‘Shravan’ Ritual
Key Highlights
- FIR filed against BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Manoj Tiwari in Jharkhand
- Accused of forcibly entering sanctum sanctorum of Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar
- Priest alleges religious sentiments were hurt and stampede-like panic caused
- Entry violated restrictions during the Shravan Mela
- MPs have not responded officially; Dubey posts statement on social media
FIR Registered Over Temple Incident in Deoghar
The Jharkhand Police confirmed on Friday that an FIR has been registered against BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Manoj Tiwari, and others. The complaint alleges forcible entry into the inner sanctum (garbhagriha) of the Baba Baidyanath Temple on the evening of August 2, during the ongoing Shravan Mela.
What the Complaint Says
Filed by temple priest Kartik Nath Thakur, the FIR states:
- The incident occurred between 8:45 PM and 9:00 PM on August 2
- MPs violated VIP/VVIP entry restrictions in place during ‘Shravan’
- Scuffle with police personnel reported during the entry
- Rituals like ‘kancha jal puja’ were disrupted
- A stampede-like situation arose, causing fear among thousands of devotees
Sections Invoked Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
The FIR includes charges for:
- Hurting religious sentiments
- Obstructing government duties
- Trespassing into a religious space
- Inducing panic in a public place
MPs’ Response
Neither MP responded to calls. However, Nishikant Dubey posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“This case has been registered for worshipping… 51 cases have been filed against me so far. I will go directly to the police station for arrest.”
About the Shravan Mela and the Baidyanath Temple
- Baba Baidyanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India
- During Shravan, over 55 lakh ‘Kanwariyas’ visit the temple
- Devotees walk 105 km from Sultanganj (Bihar) to Deoghar (Jharkhand)
- Temple revenue during July 11–August 5 reached around ₹7.5 crore
Previous Controversies Involving the MPs
This is not the first time the two BJP MPs have faced legal action:
- In August 2022, an FIR was filed against Dubey, Tiwari, and seven others for allegedly forcing ATC clearance at Deoghar Airport after hours
- The group reportedly entered the ATC room, violating aviation safety rules
- The case led to a public spat with the then Deoghar Deputy Commissioner
- The Supreme Court later quashed the criminal trespass charges in that case (Jan 2025)
The latest FIR adds to the growing list of controversies surrounding BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Manoj Tiwari. As legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the sanctity of religious practices and the enforcement of restrictions during high-footfall pilgrimage periods like Shravan.
