Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi President Prakash Ambedkar arrived in Pandharpur on Monday to visit the famous Lord Vitthal temple as part of the agitation to open religious sites in Maharashtra.
Ambedkar, who is the grandson of BR Ambedkar, came to Shivaji Square where a large number of followers accompanied him to enter the temple. Later he marched to the temple with a select number of followers.
“We have sent a letter to the Solapur district collector for allowing us to enter the temple. I am awaiting the response of the administration. I appeal to everyone not to cross the barricades set up by the administration, ”Ambedkar told reporters in Pandharpur.
The local Pandharpur administration has set up checkpoints at the temple city entrance and exit points while blocking the roads leading to Lord Vitthal temple in view of Monday’s unrest by Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA).
Several varkari (pilgrim) organizations have extended their support for the VBA agitation demanding the opening of religious sites throughout Maharashtra.
According to Solapur Police Superintendent Manoj Patil, notices have been issued to VBA workers. “We have served them notices under section 149 of the CrPC. We have also barricaded the streets leading to the temple to prevent anyone from visiting the religious site, ”said Patil. The notices asked protesters not to break the law.
To prevent someone from entering the temple city, the state transport bus service was suspended in Pandharpur for one day.
Since March 25, all places of worship across the state have been closed to devotees in light of the Covid pandemic. However, there is a growing chorus from various sectors for the opening of temples and other religious sites. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized a statewide ghatna-nad (bell ringing) agitation on Saturday pushing for their demand to open temples.
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