Aurangabad: A small group of men led by Pune-based activist Hemant Patil obstructed the recently introduced practice of reaching to sanctum sanctorum of Shani Shingnapur temple on Saturday.
The group members tied the barricades around the shrine using chain , before temple trustees arrived at the spot and whisked them away. Patil later announced that he would stage a separate agitation at Shani Shingnapur on June 6 to press for restoring earlier custom that prohibited both male and female devotees from reaching sanctorum for taking darshan.
Trupti Desai led Bhumata Brigade, which had spearheaded agitation for 'right to pray' for women at Shani Shingnapur, has dubbed Patil's act as publicity stunt, claiming that he was one of the supporters for the campaign. Meanwhile, entry on a platform which houses the rock symbolising Lord Shani was restricted for some hours at the temple owing to heavy rush of devotees on Saturday.