People got angry after a video of the Mahant eating non-vegetarian food went viral, beating him severely
A viral video of a priest eating non-vegetarian food at a temple led to public outrage and violence against him in Kanpur, India.
In the Rawatpur area of Kanpur, a controversy erupted after a video surfaced on social media showing the Mahant of the Bhooteshwar temple consuming non-vegetarian food. The video sparked widespread anger among local residents who felt that such behavior was inappropriate for someone living in a temple. As the video gained traction on social media, emotions ran high, prompting many to confront the Mahant, leading to a physical altercation.
On Sunday night, while the Mahant was present in the temple premises, a group of agitated individuals arrived and began to physically assault him. Witnesses recorded the incident, and these videos subsequently circulated online, further fueling the outrage within the community. Reports indicate that the Mahant, identified as Prashant Giri, alias Golu Pandit, resides in a room within the temple grounds, which added to the local frustration regarding his actions.
The police were alerted to the situation and quickly arrived on the scene, extracting the Mahant from the crowd and taking him to the police station for his safety. This incident highlights the sensitive nature of religious practices and dietary restrictions within certain communities in India, and it raises questions about the consequences of social media on local conflicts and traditional values.