BJP MLA’s son in spotlight after Priest assault at MP temple

A disturbing incident at the Chamunda Devi temple in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, has drawn public attention after a priest was allegedly assaulted by associates of Rudraksh Shukla, son of BJP MLA Golu Shukla. The clash occurred late at night when Rudraksh and his entourage arrived at the temple gates around 12:45 am, well beyond the temple's closing time.

Video footage of Rudraksh’s convoy, which included 10 to 12 vehicles, surfaced online, showing the group at the locked entrance. The priest on duty, Updesh Nath, refused to open the gates, citing the temple’s strict rule of not allowing visitors after hours. This reportedly enraged the group, leading to a heated argument.

According to the priest, Jitendra Raghuwanshi, a resident of Dewas and an associate of Rudraksh, became aggressive and physically assaulted him for denying entry. Updesh Nath filed a police complaint shortly after, and an FIR was registered against Jitendra under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for verbal abuse and physical assault.

Significantly, Rudraksh Shukla’s name does not appear in the FIR, raising concerns about political pressure and selective accountability. The priest later revealed in a video that he received a phone call urging him to withdraw the complaint, describing it as an “internal matter.” However, he stood firm, saying, “I will not compromise.”

The Dewas police have confirmed they are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and that further action will be taken based on evidence. A senior police official stated that the accused has a prior criminal record, further intensifying scrutiny.