Trupti Desai detained for bid to hold procession to Mahalaxmi temple

Kolhapur, Apr 13: Bhoomata Ranragini Brigade leader Trupti Desai and other activists were on Wednesday taken into preventive custody when they tried to proceed towards famous Mahalaxmi temple here in procession allegedly in violation of prohibitory orders.

Desai and other activists organised the 'Vijay' rally to mark "victory" for the cause of women who were recently allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in a major departure from the long-standing tradition.

Desai and other were stopped in Tararani Chowk by police where they had gathered to organise the procession.

The atmosphere around the temple was tense and shops downed shutters as activists of Shiv Sena and other organisations gathered in the area after Desai insisted to take darshan of the deity, clad in salwar kameez instead of sari, the formal dress code suggested by police and priests.

Deputy SP Bharatkumar Rane said police tried to convince Desai against going in procession but she did not budge. She was taken into preventive custody for maintaining law and order, he said.

PTI