Women activists manhandled at Trimbakeshwar, 200 booked

A batch of women activists were allegedly manhandled by a group of residents when they were trying to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the famous Trimbakeshwar temple on Wednesday, following which the police have booked 200 persons. Former president of Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council Anagha Phadke is also among those booked, police said.

Vanita Gutte, president of Pune-based Swarajya Sanghatana, said: “I was standing along with our women activists in the queue since 5 am to gain entry to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. We also followed the dress code – wearing wet cotton clothes.” 

“The entry to the sanctum sanctorum is restricted between 6 am and 7 am, the time that has been fixed by the temple trust. However, some local priests and women deliberately stood in the queue before us and obstructed us from entering the sanctum. They also manhandled us,” she added.

Thereafter, the activists lodged a complaint with Trimbakeshwar police against the priests and women.