Dehradun District Magistrate Ravinath Raman said on Wednesday that Daulat Kunwar would not be allowed to enter Shilgur Devta temple with any kind of precession in the interests of peace and harmony in the Chakrata region. This order will be applicable for two months, he said.
He, however, added that he has written to the principal secretary home to extend the period from two to six months with the Assembly election approaching near. “According to the intelligence inputs, Kunwar has been showcasing the matter to create bad blood in the name of caste to milk it politically during the forthcoming election,” he said.
DM further said that Kunwar can go to the temple to offer prayer along with his family members. “But he would be barred from entering the temple if he is found attempting to get into it with a procession. As per the intelligence report, Kunwar has been trying to create law and order problem by forcing his and others’ entry into temples of Dehradun district for the last one year.
In recent two incidents, local devotees and temple committee members had resisted Kunwar attempting to enter the temple with rallies, resulting in the eruption of tension and violence. Notably, stone-pelting occurred when BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay and some Dalit community people led by Kumar attempted to enter the temple. Both Vijay and Kumar were injured as violence ensued.
Moreover, to maintain law and order, the Dehradun district administration has enforced section 144 of CrPC in Tyuni, Chakrata and Kalsi area from May 31 and it would continue for two months. DM said that no religious institution or committee or persons belonging to any caste or religion would be allowed to stage rally in the vicinity of the temple without prior permission from the district administration. This decision has been taken to maintain law and order and peace in the region, he said.
DM claimed that situation in the area is normal and fully under control. There is no ban on entry of any person in the temple, he said.
“However, a committee comprising SDM, Tehsildar and Pradhans who are from the Dalit community have been formed and it would look into any complaint that comes from the Dalit community people over the temple entry issue,” he said.
“Police and intelligence staff remain deployed adequately at temple campus and other parts of the region. They have been directed to be alert. We would not brook some people playing politics over a non-issue as there is no ban on a Dalit from entering any temple in the region,” DM added.