Kanpur Priest Brutally Assaulted by Mob Over Viral Non-Vegetarian Food Photo
A shocking incident of mob violence unfolded in Kanpur on Sunday night, where a temple priest was brutally assaulted after a photo purportedly showing him consuming non-vegetarian food went viral on social media platforms. The attack occurred at the historic Bhuteshwar Temple located in Keshavpuram, Rawatpur, highlighting the dangerous consequences of online misinformation and religious intolerance.
Mob Gathers and Escalates Violence
Enraged by the viral image, approximately 50 to 60 individuals descended upon the temple premises, demanding the priest come outside. When the priest, identified as Prashant Giri alias Golu Pandit, hesitated, some members of the mob forcibly entered the temple, dragged him out, and began interrogating him about the controversial photo. The situation quickly deteriorated from verbal arguments to physical violence.
The angry crowd started slapping the priest repeatedly. As he attempted to flee to safety, people chased him down and continued beating him. In a distressing turn of events, women working in nearby shops intervened, pleading with the mob to stop the assault. However, their efforts were met with further violence, as the mob also slapped these women, accusing the priest of corrupting religious sentiments.
Police Intervention and Priest's Account
The commotion persisted for nearly an hour before police arrived at the scene after receiving alerts. Officers rescued the priest from the mob and took him to the police station for his protection. During questioning, the priest claimed that the viral photo was an old image that had been edited and circulated maliciously as part of a conspiracy to remove him from his position at the temple.
No clear information has emerged regarding where the photo was originally taken, who captured it, or who initially spread it on social media. This lack of clarity underscores the challenges in addressing digital misinformation that incites real-world violence.
Background and Official Response
Prashant Giri serves as the priest and mahant at Bhuteshwar Temple in Rawatpur, where he resides in a room on the temple premises. The viral photo, which surfaced two days prior to the assault, allegedly depicted him eating non-vegetarian food, leading to public fury and demands for his removal from the temple.
Rawatpur police station in-charge Kamlesh Rai stated, "The victim was rescued from the mob. A video of the assault has been obtained. The accused are being identified on the basis of that." Authorities are now investigating the incident to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
This incident raises serious concerns about:
- The impact of social media in spreading unverified content
- The escalation of religious sentiments into physical violence
- The safety of religious figures in volatile situations
- The need for swift police action to prevent such mob justice
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the aftermath of this violent episode, emphasizing the urgent need for digital literacy and tolerance to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
