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When questioned by the devotees and employees, the young man openly declared himself a fan of the gangster. He reportedly claimed that Bishnoi would save the country.
Many devotees said that at first they thought the young man was another pilgrim who had taken religious vows, but when they saw the picture they were shocked. (Image: News18)
A new controversy broke out at Anjanadri Hill in Karnataka’s Koppala district when a youth reached the holy site carrying a photograph of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Anjanadri hill, which devotees consider to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, attracts thousands of pilgrims every day. This incident has spread anger among the devotees and serious questions have been raised on the glorification of criminal personalities in religious places.
Located in Gangavathi taluk, Anjanadri is considered one of the most sacred sites in the region. The appearance of a gangster’s picture at such a place left many devotees shocked and angry.
Youth claimed devotion after 9 days of fasting
According to eyewitnesses, the youth had fasted for 9 days wearing the traditional Hanuman mala before reaching Anjanadri for darshan. The youth, identified as Raju from Koliwada village of Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district, allegedly carried a large photograph of Lawrence Bishnoi while roaming inside the temple premises.
When questioned by the devotees and employees, the young man openly declared himself a fan of the gangster. He reportedly claimed that the country would be saved by Bishnoi, a statement that further angered the worshipers present at the hill temple.
Many devotees said that at first they thought the young man was another pilgrim who had taken religious vows, but when they saw the picture they were shocked.
Devotees react with anger and shock
The presence of the gangster’s picture at a place associated with Hanuman devotion triggered immediate protests. Devotees accused the youth of insulting religious sentiments and called it an unacceptable act at a holy place.
Many people raised questions as to how a person accused of several serious crimes could be publicly praised in such a manner in the temple premises. Some devotees demanded strict action, saying that allowing such incidents could lead to the normalization of criminal worship.
Social media users also reacted strongly, with many calling it an insult to faith and a dangerous trend that mixes crime with devotion.
Who is Lawrence Bishnoi?
Lawrence Bishnoi is currently in jail and is accused in several high-profile criminal cases. These include links to the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, threats made to actor Salman Khan and most recently his alleged involvement in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui.
Security agencies consider Bishnoi one of the most dangerous gangsters in the country. His growing online following and his portrayal as a nationalist figure by some supporters has already been the subject of debate and concern.
The Anjanadri incident is one of the first known cases where his image has been displayed inside a major religious place.
The temple authorities have not yet issued an official statement
The Anjanadri temple administration and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department have not yet issued any official statement on the incident. However, local sources said that security personnel at the hill interrogated the youth and instructed him to remove the photo to prevent further unrest.
Authorities reportedly acted swiftly to ensure that the situation did not escalate into a major confrontation between devotees.
Police are monitoring the situation, background checks are underway
Koppala district police has taken cognizance of the incident. Superintendent of Police Yatheesh N said that the matter is being investigated and the background of the youth is being investigated. He also said that the police is ensuring that the situation remains peaceful and appropriate action will be taken if needed.
Police sources indicated that although no formal case has been registered yet, the incident is being documented due to the sensitive nature of the location.
A new and disturbing trend?
The episode has reignited debate over the increasing online glorification of criminals and the impact of such stories on young people. Experts have warned that hero worship of gangsters can distort social values, especially when it spills over into religious and cultural spheres.
As Anjanadri continues to attract devotees from across the country, many are now asking whether strict guidelines and monitoring are needed to protect the sanctity of such holy places from ideological and criminal symbolism.
For now, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly social media-driven ideologies can infiltrate spaces meant for faith and reflection.
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December 03, 2025, 10:22 IST
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