Shinde son enters temple 'garbha griha', sparks row

MUMBAI: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde 's MP son Shrikant Shinde courted controversy after he was allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum of Mahakaleshwar temple in MP's Ujjain despite a ban, prompting authorities to order a probe.

Shinde, who represents Kalyan LS constituency, entered the 'garbha griha' (sanctum sanctorum) with his wife and two others to worship the deity Thursday, temple sources said. A row erupted after a video of the incident went viral as entry of devotees into the sanctum sanctorum has been banned for nearly a year now.

Opposition Congress took objection to the incident, saying VIPs were allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum despite a ban while common citizens have to wait in queues for hours for ' darshan ' of the deity.

Hitting back, Shrikant said opposition has an allergy to going to temples. "They don't take darshan and stop others from doing so," he said.

Chairman of the temple committee and Ujjain district collector Neeraj Kumar Singh said, "Nobody is allowed to enter the garbha griha. This (Shinde's) is an unauthorised entry and I have directed the temple administrator to take immediate action in this matter."

The temple administrator, Ganesh Dhakad, said action will be taken against the inspector responsible for overseeing entry and other aspects of the sanctum sanctorum. Mahakaleshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. and is one of the 12 'jyotirlinga' temples in the country.