Temple shut as priest, committee lock horns again

The issue surrounding Chikka Anjaneya Swamy Temple on Thyagaraja road, Agrahara in the city has resurfaced, following the differences of opinion among the priest and the management committee.

As a result, the temple has been locked from Saturday morning. On Saturday, the day when usually large number of devotees visit the temple, priest Srikanth Kashyap was performing the puja when the representatives of the committee raised the issue over utilising the revenue generated from the temple.The money collected in the offering box at the temple is the bone of contention with both the parties differing in utilising the same for further development works of the temple. 

While the committee members insisted on opening the box in their presence, the priest opposed to it, which resulted in the locking of the temple by both the parties.

Learning about the incident, K R police personnel who rushed to the spot, and made a vain bid to pacify them, but to no avail. Both the warring parties were taken to the station later. However they failed to arrive at a consensus, the police said.

BackgroundThe temple, built in 1970 has a history of nearly four decades. The dispute that resurfaced in the later years, dates back to 2001. In the year 2011 too, when a similar situation erupted, Kashyap had moved the local court. According to Kashyap, he inherited the priesthood from his ancestors, who were worshipping at the temple earlier.

Even as Kashyap was allowed to perform puja, the order in favour of Kashyap came in 2014. The court in its ruling had stated that the committee should not trouble Kashyap in performing the daily rituals, K R Police Inspector H Parusharamappa told Deccan Herald.

Parashuramappa said that the committee has no problem with Kashyap performing puja, but the members wanted to have a say in the utilisation of money collected in the offering box. 

No police complaint has been lodged in this regard.