Priest Held For Attacking, Abusing Odissi Dancers At Mukteshwar Temple In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A priest of Mukteshwar temple in Odisha capital was arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting and abusing a group of Odissi dancers, who were at 10th-century shrine for a photoshoot last evening.

A video of the incident went viral this morning. The accused, Shaktikanta Batu, can be seen in the clip attacking the artistes with a stick while hurling abuses. He also allegedly misbehaved with a female dancer.

Sources said that the spat between the dancers and the priest took an ugly turn when the latter lost his cool and started abusing them. He also picked up a stick and attacked them in an alleged inebriated condition.

The priest was arrested by police on the basis of the complaint lodged by the artistes.