Bhumata Ranragini Brigade activist Trupti Desai said she was attacked by people when she tried to enter the inner sanctum of Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur on Wednesday. Desai was visiting the temple after a centuries-old ban on women’s entry was lifted, following a Bombay High Court verdict that allows women to enter places of worship in the state. Local women and temple staff including priests allegedly attacked Desai after she reportedly broke the dress code. Women were advised to wear sari when stepping into the temple, while the activists were in salwar kameez.

Desai, who was hospitalised following the attack, told ANI that the attackers were trying to kill her. Earlier on Wednesday, Desai and other women activists were detained when they organised a rally to celebrate their right to enter the inner sanctum of the temple.