Tribals attack police over worship rights in Rishabhdev temple

Jaipur, Feb 7 (UNI) Tension erupted in and around Risabhdev Temple in Udaipur district as hundreds of tribals fought a pitched battle with the police, fearing they would be denied worshipping rights at the temple after a recent Supreme Court ruling.

Both Jain community and tribals have been worshipping at the Risabhdev Temple for years. The temple, about 65 km from Udaipur, was under the Devasthan department, which have been conducting the pujas there.

A January 4 Supreme Court ruling had ordered that the temple be handed over to the Jain community, which allegedly told the tribals that they would not be allowed to worship at the temple any more.

The Supreme Court ruling last month came after 26 years and it had given a four-month time frame for handing over the temple and its worshipping rights to the Jain community After the ruling, the tribals had threatened to lay a siege of the temple today but had later postponed it.

Fearing protests, the police tightened security around the temple, deploying several policemen.

Sources said hundred of tribals instead of coming via the main road approached the temple through the Bilak mountains and started pelting stones at the police.

The police had to lob teargas shells to disperse the agitators.

The tribals consider the Raishabhdev temple as highly sacred and worship the deity as Kalia Bawa. They visit the temple before or after marriage or any auspicious occasion.

UNI