Navratri fervor turned into fear at Bihar’s iconic Thawe Durga Temple in Gopalganj after a group of aggressive vendors assaulted devotees who declined to purchase prasad. The confrontation unfolded in the heart of the temple premises, a major pilgrimage site attracting hordes from India and Nepal. Several people, among them a female devotee and a medical professional, sustained injuries in the melee.
Doctor Nitish Kumar from Siwan’s Maharajganj and his companion Brijesh Kushwaha had come for routine Navratri rituals. They narrated how persistent shopkeepers shoved prasad packets at them, ignoring their refusals. Verbal volleys soon gave way to fisticuffs, with the vendors overpowering the group. ‘We just wanted to pray in peace,’ said one victim, highlighting the coercion rampant in such sacred spaces.
The incident sparked outrage, prompting immediate administrative intervention. Gopalganj DM Pavan Kumar Sinha ordered the Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Child Development Project Officer to probe the matter urgently. Raids are ongoing to nab the eight named accused, while extra security forces are being stationed to safeguard pilgrims.
As news spread, social media erupted with calls for accountability. This isn’t an isolated case; similar complaints of forced sales plague many temples. Experts call for dedicated regulatory bodies to monitor vendor behavior, segregating commerce from devotion. With Navratri in full swing, the focus shifts to restoring faith in these holy abodes. Authorities assure comprehensive measures to ensure no devotee faces harassment again.