Local Traders Attack On Ayyappa Devotees In Palani

Hyderabad: An attack on a Telugu devotee who had gone to visit Lord Subramanya Swamy in Palani, Tamil Nadu as part of the Sabarimala Yathra has led to tension. Ayyappa devotees have staged a dharna demanding action against those responsible. A group of Ayyappa devotees from Andhra Pradesh were going to visit Sabarimala. On the way, they reached the Subramanya Swamy temple in Palani. A devotee had gone to a nearby shop to buy a water bottle and cold drinks. However, the shopkeeper demanded Rs. 40 while the MRP was Rs. 30. When he protested, he started cursing in Tamil. Ayyappa attacked the devotee with a glass bottle. As a result, the victim suffered a severe head injury.

Without stopping there, he broke the garland around his neck. Upon learning of the incident, fellow Ayyappa devotees reached the scene one by one. They detained the shopkeeper who had committed the attack. In this sequence, the locals stood by the trader and got into an argument with Ayyappa. Demanding strict action against the trader, they protested there. When no one responded, they made him sit on the road. With this, the police who reached the scene tried to calm both the groups. However, when the Telugu devotees did not back down, they tried to disperse them. However, as the number of Ayyappas gradually increased, they were persuaded and sent away from there.