Incident sparks outrage as devotees clash with miscreants over playing bhajans in the Shiv Mandir
In a shocking incident that unfolded on Monday, July 17, a 70-year-old priest of a Shiv Mandir in Bihar's Vaishali district was brutally lynched by unknown miscreants. The priest, identified as Shiv Narayan Giri, was mercilessly beaten to death by four boys who took offense to the bhajans being played in the temple to celebrate the holy day of Shravan (Sawan) month.
According to reports, Shiv Narayan Giri resided on the temple premises in Astpur Satpura village under the Bhagwanpur police station. On the fateful day, a group of devotees gathered at the temple to offer jal (water) to the Shivling, a customary practice during the Shravan month. As part of the celebration, bhajans were being played on the loudspeaker. Mondays in the month of Shravan hold immense significance, particularly for devotees of Lord Shiva.
However, a group of youths in the neighborhood took offense to the music and demanded that the volume be turned off. While the devotees agreed to lower the volume, the youths insisted on complete cessation of the bhajans. This disagreement escalated into a heated altercation between the accused and the devotees.
Amidst the chaos, four youths started assaulting Vikas Kumar, the nephew of Shiv Narayan Giri. Reacting to his nephew's distress, the 70-year-old priest rushed to his rescue, but the miscreants turned their aggression towards him, subjecting him to a vicious beating.
The assault continued until the priest collapsed on the ground, lifeless. Seizing the opportunity, the miscreants fled the scene, leaving behind a grieving community in shock and distress.
The police were alerted, and they promptly arrived at the scene. The body of the deceased priest was sent to Hajipur Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination. A case was registered, and an investigation was launched to apprehend the culprits responsible for this heinous crime.
Vikas Kumar, the nephew of the deceased priest, shared his account of the incident with the media. He stated that a large number of devotees had gathered at the temple on the second Monday of the Sawan month to offer water to the Shivling. Some devotees began playing bhajans inside the temple premises, which led to objections from certain villagers. Despite attempts to reach a compromise, the situation escalated, resulting in a physical altercation.
Eyewitness Raushan Kumar corroborated the incident, stating that four individuals targeted the priest, repeatedly striking him in the stomach until he collapsed. The body was subsequently taken to Sadar Hospital Hajipur for post-mortem examination.
The tragic lynching of Shiv Narayan Giri during the sacred Shravan celebrations has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The incident highlights the need for tolerance, harmony, and respect for religious practices within communities. Authorities are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible for this brutal act are brought to justice.
The loss of a revered temple priest in such a violent manner has deeply impacted the local community, and there are calls for swift action and preventive measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining communal harmony and upholding the principles of peace and unity in society.
