Rrepresentatives of various temple trusts, backed by right-wing outfits, conducted a 4km padyatra in capital Ranchi on Wednesday evening, demanding opening of all temples in Jharkhand days after priests in Deoghar observed a bandh in the temple town seeking reopening of the Baba Baidhyanathdham.

Close to 70 people comprising priests, members of temple trusts, florists and shopkeepers selleing puja paraphernalia marched from Ranchi Pahari Mandir via Upper Bazar with placards and posters voicing their demands and congregated at Albert Ekka Chowk. Representatives from Maa Chinnamastika temple in Ramgarh, Pahari Mandir (Ranchi), Shani Mandir, among others, took part in the march. Right wing groups such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Hindu Jagran Manch also joined them.

Talking to reporters at Albert Ekka Chowk, Munchun Rai of Ranchi Jan Sewa Sangh said that temples be opened to devotees immediately.

“Although the state government has about a month back allowed temples to function, devotees aren’t allowed because of Covid-19. But why did government open schools, universities, bars, offices in that case? Will Covid spread only through temples?,” he asked, demanding the constitution of proper protocols by the state government.

A member of Ranchi Pahari Mandir Trust said that around 5,000 people were directly or indirectly dependent on temples for their livelihood. “They include priests, shop keepers, florists, eateries etc as their earnings are directly linked with devotees. But since last year, since the outbreak of Covid-19, everyone is struggling to survive,” he rued.

Agreed Rajiv Jaiswal of Maa Chinnamastika Mandir Trust stating that their temple in Ramgarh is a "shaktipeeth".

"But people dependent on it are forced to arrange their bread and butter. In the past, we appealed to the government and the administration to provide some fiscal assistance but to no avail,” he said.