Desai defies ‘sari’ dress code during Mahalaxmi darshan in Kolhapur

Notwithstanding the “telephonic advice” given by the police on Tuesday to wear sari inside santorum of the Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur, Bhoomata Ranragini Brigade leader Trupti Desai on Wednesday night took darshan of the goddess in salwar kameez.

Though some priests and devotees tried to block her way to the temple’s ‘garbha griha’, the high drama got over soon after a minor scuffle inside the famous shrine.

Earlier in the day, Desai and other activists had organised the ‘Vijay’ rally to mark “victory” for the cause of women who were recently allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple in a major departure from the long-standing tradition.

But they were stopped in Tararani Chowk and were taken into preventive custody by police when they tried to proceed towards the temple in a procession allegedly in violation of prohibitory orders. Desai then headed towards the temple in night.

The atmosphere around the temple was tense and shops downed shutters as activists of Shiv Sena and other organisations gathered in the area after Desai insisted to take darshan of the deity, in salwar kameez instead of sari, the formal dress code suggested by police and priests.

Deputy SP Bharatkumar Rane said police tried to convince Desai against going in procession but she did not budge.

She was taken into preventive custody for maintaining law and order, he said.