Shrikant Shindee Enters Mahakal Temple Despite Ban

Shrikant Shinde, son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has sparked controversy by entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, despite a year-long ban on such entries. Accompanied by his wife and two others, Shinde's unauthorized worship was recorded on video, which went viral, triggering backlash from the opposition Congress party. They criticized the preferential treatment of VIPs, asserting that ordinary devotees endure long waits for darshan while officials allow privileged access to others. In response, Shrikant Shinde dismissed the criticism, suggesting the opposition is 'allergic' to temple visits. Temple authorities, including Ujjain district collector Neeraj Kumar Singh, acknowledged the breach and have initiated an investigation, with promises of action against those responsible for overseeing temple entry. The Mahakaleshwar temple, a significant religious site, has been strict about entry rules, allowing only priests access to the inner sanctum since the ban was imposed.