Rajasthan temple priest attacked over President Kovind's visit
What's the story
The priest of a Brahma temple in Rajasthan's Pushkar district was attacked by a man disguised as a devotee for allegedly not letting President Ram Nath Kovind enter the sanctum sanctorum.
The accused, Ashok Meghwal, attacked priest Mahadevpuri as soon as the latter came to offer his prayers.
The attack was caught on camera, and the footage went viral.
Here's more.
The attack
Priest escaped the attack, suffered minor injuries
Ashok Meghwal, who is allegedly not of sound mind, patiently stood in the queue outside the Jagat Pita Brahma temple, waiting to spring on Mahadevpuri.
Despite tight security, Meghwal was able to execute his attack, but the priest escaped owing to his presence of mind.
He suffered minor injuries and is being treated at a government hospital in Pushkar.
Twitter Post
Photo shows the man with sharp-edged weapon
Man attacks priest in Pushkar's Brahma temple alleging that the priest stopped President Kovind from entering the temple. The victim says, 'I wasn't present on that day, otherwise I'd have ensured that he sees the temple. As per Police accused is mentally challanged, #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/xyudlHZdbd
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2018
Kovind's visit
What unfolded during President Kovind's visit
The incident revolves around President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to the Jagat Pita Brahma temple on May 15.
During the visit, Kovind had offered prayers from the stairs since his wife had a knee problem, and he had a tight schedule.
However, some miscreants circulated messages on social media falsely alleging that Kovind had been denied entry on caste grounds, which understandably angered many.
Quote
There was no casteism involved, says President's press secretary
"Despite repeated requests of government, temple authorities and the priests, his schedule didn't permit him a full darshan [of the Jagat Pita Brahma temple]. This was entirely the president's decision. There was no other factor at all," explained Kovind's press secretary Ashok Malik.