Muslim man tries to enter Mahakal temple in Ujjain, raises slogans when caught

New Delhi: A major chaos broke out at Mahakal temple in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) after a Muslim youth tried to enter the holy shrine. The incident happened last night and was brought to notice of temple authorities by a woman devotee.

When the youth was nabbed by people, he started chanting religious slogans. He also claimed that he didn’t want to hurt anybody and wanted to get Hindus & Muslims to get married.

Ujjain’s Mahakal Mandir is one of the most prestigious temples of Lord Shiva and is thronged by devotees throughout the year.

The 26 year old youth who created ruckus at the temple has been identified as Shafik Shah and is a resident of Bhopal’s Aarif Nagar. He managed to sneak into the temple premises and the issue was brought to notice by a woman devotee named Jyoti Chauhan.

Jyoti Chauhan told newsmen that construction work is underway in the temple. When a woman worker Raju Bai went to fill water, she saw a youth with iron rod.

According to her, the man was wearing skeleton cap and wielding an iron rod. He also spitted in the water container and when Raju Bai confronted him, the latter started reciting name of Lord Shiva and said that he wanted to pay obeisance to Lord. He also said that he wanted to get Hindu & Muslim couple get married. He was subsequently caught and handed over to police.

The Muslim youth said that he had faith in Baba Mahakal and wanted to worship in the temple. He came to Ujjain 2 days ago and spent last night in a mosque.

Police has begun probe in the matter and is scanning CCTV footage for security lapse. A complaint has been lodged against him and locals are demanding tough action against him for desecrating the temple premises.

However, city’s Bajrang Dal’s co-ordinator Ankit Choubey claimed that this is not the first instance of Muslims trying to enter the temple by impersonating identity.

“If the youth has such deep faith for Mahakal, why couldn’t he convert to Hinduism,” he asked.