Elderly priest sets self ablaze in Ajmer, cites harassment

Ajmer: An elderly priest attempted suicide by setting himself on fire in Ajmer after he was allegedly harassed by a group of people who were forcing him to vacate the temple. Police informed the victim, Govind Narayan Sharma, is the priest of Jagdish Temple under Ganj Police Station area. “Priest Govind Narayan was being harassed by five people associated with the temple committee. They were forcing him to move out of the temple. The victim’s grandson stated that Govind Narayan has been looking after the temple for the last 60 years. But, a recently constituted executive of the temple committee was harassing the priest and wanted to remove him from the temple,” police said. “A police complaint has been filed and the matter is being investigated,” police added.