Agitation by Bhoomata Brigade a political stunt: Maha BJP

Maharashtra BJP today slammed Bhoomata Brigade leader Trupti Desai, saying her agitation to force entry into the inner sanctum of the Shani temple in Shingnanapur was nothing but a "political stunt" seeking publicity.
"This agitation is nothing but a political stunt aimed at seeking media attention. It does not involve any devotion or religious feeling on part of the agitators. The agitation has nothing to to with the issue of gender equality either," Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari told reporters.
"Trupti Desai had contested an election on behalf of Congress and she is indulging in political 'nautanki' (drama)," Bhandari said, adding that the Shani Shingnapur agitation was launched after Congress lost power in the last elections.

Bhandari's reaction came after Desai, who was detained and later released by Ahmednagar police despite the Bombay High Court order on free entry to women at places of worship, said an FIR would be filed against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for not honouring the High Court order.
Desai, however, refuted the BJP's charge, saying she had no affiliation with any political party and no party had supported her agitation.
"Only judiciary has supported our plea," she said.
Desai also alleged that she and her activists suffered injuries during the scuffle with villagers and police at Shani Shingnapur in Ahmednagar district while trying to enter the prohibited area of the temple.

"Police has not offered any treatment by taking us to hospital," she claimed.