Bajrang Dal, VHP Stop Brahmastra Actors Ranbir-Alia From Entering Ujjain Temple

However, film director Ayan Mukerji was able to visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple’s Jyotirlinga.

Protesters preventing Ranbir-Alia from entering the Ujjain temple. 

(Photo: Screenshot of the video)

Video Input: Juhi Ali

Video Producer: Naman Shah

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma

Ahead of Ranbir-Alia’s promotional visit to the Ujjain temple on Tuesday evening, 6 September, members of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal protested outside the temple against Ranbir Kapoor's alleged remarks over beef-eating.

While Brahmastra actors Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and the film director Ayan Mukerji were to visit the temple, only the latter was able to go for darshan at the Mahakaleshwar Temple’s Jyotirlinga.

Confirming the incident, a Mahakal police station official said that they had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters. The protesters, however, did not allow Ranbir and Alia to enter the temple premises.

Bajrang Dal members raised 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans when Ranbir and Alia arrived at the spot.

'Felt Bad that Ranbir, Alia Couldn't Come With Me Inside Temple': Ayan Mukerji

“We will not allow them to worship at the holy Mahakaleshwar temple as a few days back Ranbir had said that he likes to eat mutton, chicken, and beef in non-veg food,” Bajrang Dal leader Ankit Choube said.

Notably, in 2011, Ranbir Kapoor while promoting his film Rockstar had said, “My family is from Peshawar, so a lot of Peshawari food has come with them. I am a mutton, paya, and beef fan. Yeah, I am a big beef fan."

Reacting to the protesters not allowing Ranbir and Alia into the temple, director Ayan Mukerji said in a press conference that he felt bad that the two actors couldn't go with him inside the temple for darshan.

"I went to Mahakaleshwar temple before the release of our motion poster and I promised myself that before the release of the flim, I will go again and both of them were very keen to come with me. But when we reached there and heard all of that, I felt that I should go alone because eventually I had gone there to seek blessings and that blessing is for everybody," Mukerji said as per news agency ANI.

Further Mukerji said that he didn't want to take Alia inside the temple because of her current condition. "Though I felt very bad, I feel they could have also come and gotten the darshan," he said.

"With Brahmastra, we have a line that says 'Light is coming' which means everything that is positive and spiritual in this life, and with this marketing strategy, we want to spread warmth and positivity because that is what the whole world needs," Mukerji added.

Ranbir and Alia, meanwhile, did not comment about not being allowed inside the temple.

Earliar, Alia had said that those who want to see her film Brahmastra should watch it, while others who are not keen shouldn't, he claimed.

Amid the protest, director Ayan Mukerji went for the darshan of the deity, temple priest Ashish Pujari said.

The police has taken action under section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code against one of the right-wing protesters.

(With inputs from PTI.)