Every Hindu ritual is incomplete without a priest. From laying the first brick while building a house to offering prayers at temples, their role is significant in everyday life. According to Hindus, couples are considered officially married not when they receive a marriage certificate, but only when they perform rituals in the presence and under the guidance of a priest.
In ancient India, priests, or Pandits, played an important role in the functioning of the country. However, back then, their role was not limited to temple rituals and other pujas. Their involvement could be seen from shaping the educational framework to assisting the King in making important decisions. These priests were highly respected in society, for they were learned scholars, possessing intense knowledge of almost all aspects, including the holy Vedas. This was the status a priest enjoyed in the hearts of Hindus around the world. However, like the two sides of a coin, the priests also had their other side. In many parts of India, mainly in Temples, they were found guilty of several offences, including sexual assault (news link attached for reference).
Similarly, a recent incident involving a priest boiled over on social media. Digvijay Singh Chouhan served as a temple priest and Sevadar at the Khatu Shyam ji Temple in Rajasthan. On May 18, Chouhan was reportedly driving the car, which caused a massive road accident as he rammed other vehicles. The accident had reportedly left one person dead and a few others severely injured.
According to sources, the incident happened in the Pushkar Valley. Police investigations followed, and it was found that Chouhan was under the influence of alcohol while driving. The police also seized liquor bottles from the vehicles. Furthermore, it was found that the vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner registered under the Temple Trust (Shri Shyam Mandir Committee), already had nine pending overspeeding challans. The high contradiction between the priest's status and the reported activity sparked massive outrage on social media.
Devotion by day, Liquor by night?
Temples are beyond places of worship in India for the Hindu Communities. People develop an emotional connection with everything related to the temple. Be it the infrastructure, sevadars, Food, etc. Among these, the temple priests hold a special place in devotees' hearts. The priests are sometimes considered role models, and every divine occasion is celebrated with their blessings. Eventually, as the saying goes, "Practice what you preach", the priests are also expected to follow the principles they preach. Hence, they become the apt people to make an impact on an individual's mind.
That being said, it is obvious for the public to get disturbed by the news that a popular temple's priest, often sighted on social media performing pujas for VIPs, was found drunk-driving and caused an accident that claimed a person's life. Unlike other representatives and leaders, priests stand apart as they are trusted by people. Once this bond is broken, it becomes impossible to mend it. Also, a sense of emotional betrayal hovers in people's minds, fuelling further rage. In addition to this, people fear that such incidents could set a detrimental example in young minds. People started expressing their views with the tag, “Devotion by day, Liquor by night?” over social media.
Power vs Justice
The contrasting similarity between the two words - power and justice is nothing new for a democratic country like India. The very meaning of democracy is itself at stake when it is forced to co-exist with power, influence, and corruption. Social Media users pointed out that such incidents from the side of public figures not only symbolise the misuse of power, but also highlight the lack of justice. Questions were also raised about the recurring misuse of influence, which paved the way for such activities.
Traffic violation and piling penalties
Likewise, people remarked that repeated traffic violations were becoming a routine affair, resulting from the lack of stricter laws. India is currently witnessing a surge in the number of road accidents resulting from drunk driving and overspeeding. While there are several legal frameworks to ensure road safety, like The Motor Vehicles Act, their enforcement remains ineffective. Penalties remain unpaid, and the same offenders are reportedly seen repeating the offence. The apparent situation simply reveals the density of the fines imposed and the grave dangers that lie ahead if this situation persists.
The incident went beyond a drunk driving accident. It reveals the harsher side of several aspects, including religious institutions, the judicial system, and the aftermath of drugs. Social Media also played a key role in drawing attention to the incident, which would otherwise remain hidden. However, transparency is expected much before things heat up online to ensure that no one is denied justice in this democratic nation. However, social media also endures criticism for the swift spread of unverified information leading to online disputes and defamation. But in cases like these, it sheds light on the darker side and becomes a powerful weapon for the layman against huge powers.
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