Group barges into Mumbai temple, threatens guard, performs aarti, tears banner

A group of people allegedly forced their way into a temple in Mumbai after threatening a security guard, performed an aarti, defaced a board and tore down a religious banner, police told PTI.Police have arrested two people, including Amit Pathak, and registered a First Information Report against 15 people on charges that include attempting to incite discord. The incident took place at the Ram Mandir in the Aarey area on Saturday evening.The case was registered after Jayesh Ambavi Patel, 46, a trustee of the Leuva Patidar Samaj Ram Mandir trust at Marol Check Naka, filed a complaint.According to police, Pathak allegedly circulated social media posts on behalf of the 'Hindu Rakshak Sena' and 'Sakal Hindu Samaj', asking people to gather at the temple for a Hanuman Chalisa recitation and a Maha Aarti on Saturday to resolve a contentious local issue. The police official who spoke to PTI did not elaborate on the issue. Following the posts, 30 to 40 people gathered on the temple grounds. Pathak and his associates allegedly confronted security guard Nandlal Kewat, abused him, grabbed him by the collar and threatened him with dire consequences while forcing him to switch on the lights, according to the complaint.After performing the aarti, Pathak allegedly made provocative statements and said the temple should remain open to everyone without permission from the managing trust. A police official told PTI that the accused then used black spray paint to deface a board on a temple wall. Pathak allegedly climbed an iron ladder and tore down a flex banner of the 'Shri Leva Patidar Bajrang Satsang Mandal' featuring an image of Lord Hanuman. He and his associates then left the premises while shouting slogans.Police said the incident was captured by the temple's CCTV cameras. The trustee also alleged in his complaint that Pathak had earlier posted defamatory content on Facebook targeting members of the trust.Police registered the case on Sunday under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, mischief, public nuisance and deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings. The investigation is continuing.In summary, two people have been arrested and 15 have been booked after the group allegedly entered the temple, threatened its guard, performed an aarti, damaged property and tore down a religious banner.- Ends