Sadhus seek control of temples in MP, stage protest

Around 100 sadhus (Hindu ascetics) were detained by the police here Wednesday after they staged a sit-in for five days to demand control of temples in Madhya Pradesh.

Sub Divisional Officer of Police P P Gautam said the sadhus were rounded up from near Kamala Park here, where they were squatting for the last five days.

Police took action fearing breach of peace, took them to Bairagarh area here in buses, and released them later, he said.

Mahant Ram Giriji Maharaj from Rajgarh district, who led the sadhus, said they were protesting peacefully to press their demand of control of temples and 'matths' (monasteries), and police arrested them for no reason.

"The BJP government is ill-treating us. We are not being allowed to protest democratically," Maharaj said.

Since 1974, district collectors act as custodians of "matth and mandir" (monasteries and temples) in the state, he said.

"We want that sadhus should be made custodians of temples and monasteries," he said, adding that they would continue the agitation.