Brahmastra actors Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt denied entry in Ujjain temple by VHP

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt could not have darshan of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, yesterday evening, following strong protest registered by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists, who protested against them in view of Ranbir’s statement regarding beef - Jyothi Venkatesh

The artists along with the production team of Brahmastra film came here to pray for the success of the film, which is slated for release on Friday. Amid verbal duel and assault between policemen and activists, chaos prevailed around the Mahakaleshwar Temple for more than two hours.

Ranbir Kapoor had reached Madhya Pradesh with wife actress Alia Bhatt and director Ayan Mukerji to promote the film Brahmastra. Before promoting the film in Indore, all the actors came to Ujjain to seek the blessings of Baba Mahakal for the success of the film.

Hindu organizations protested at the entrance of the temple over Ranbir Kapoor’s 10-year-old beef-eating statement, after which Alia and Ranbir had to take shelter at the residence of Ujjain Collector Ashish Singh, while seeing the situation, the couple cancelled the decision to go to the temple.

As soon as the activists of Hindu organisations got to know that Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Kapoor, Brahmastra movie director Ayan Mukerji and the production team would come to the temple around 7 pm on Tuesday, they became alert from 4 o’clock itself.

The crowds started gathering around the VIP entrance gate, but the police did not notice it. The protesters led by VHP leader Ashok Jain Chaywala and Bajrang Dal leader Ankit Choubey showed black flags and raised slogans.

When the police tried to stop the protesters, the Bajrang Dal activists had a fierce argument with the police, who chased the activists and the whole incident was caught on camera.

Although the film’s production team and Ayan Mukerji director who is in general media shy, and also very averse to interviews, though he is the son of popular yesteryear actor Deb Mukejee managed to take darshan of Baba Mahakal in the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple and also talked to the media, Alia and Ranveer could not reach the temple.

Hindutva organizations protested on Ranbir Kapoor’s old statement about beef eating that hurt everyone’s religious beliefs. During this, a worker had a tussle with the police, in which the police thrashed them. He was taken into custody.

Hinduist organizations raised slogans and demonstrated outside the temple carrying black flags. At the same time, the police controlled the crowd using mild force as it was required.

Ayan, who reached the temple, confessed that he had a strong desire to see Baba Mahakal before the release of the film and said that he was very happy that he had a darshan yesterday and added that he prayed to God for the success of the film.

He said that we have Ranbir Kapoor’s trainer Dhipesh Bhatt who is popularly known as Shivohm and a member of the team, and the darshan has been very good. Ayan evaded all questions of a protest staged by the activists of Hindu organisations.

The Mahakal police have registered a case against the workers of Hindu organisations under Section 353 of the IPC. This action was taken in relation to the fight between the CSP and the station in charge and workers in the presence of ASP, ADM, SDM and all the officers.

The time of arrival of the actors in the temple was fixed at 7 pm for the evening aarti of Baba Mahakal, but workers and office-bearers of Hindu organisations sat scattered around their entrance well before that time and as soon as the officers’ vehicle started arriving, the workers got alert.

The activists and officials of the organisations gathered together in a great swarm, and when the car of the production team had entered inside, it was fiercely opposed by the workers and officials, and the police did not even know how the workers and officials managed to reach the VIP entrance.

During this time, the intelligence and security system of the police seemed to be failing. In the whole case, when the media wanted to understand the matter from all the officers including ASP Inderjit Bakalwar and ADM Santosh Tagore, they chose to remain silent.

At around 9.30 pm, after the entire production team left the temple, the people of Hindu organisations reached Mahakal police station and gheraoed it demanding action against the policemen and in the meanwhile, Ranbir and Alia were taken to Indore amid heavy security.