Hardoi youth slits throat in temple before idol

LUCKNOW: In a bizarre incident, a youth Sandip Verma, 25, slit his throat with a with shaving razor after performing prayers inside a popular Kaali temple in Kotwali Dehat area of adjoining Hardoi district, nearly 112 kilometres northwest from Lucknow.

Police said the man had hurt himself seriously and was referred to King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow after his condition deteriorated in Hardoi district hospital.

Senior sub inspector of Kotwali Dehat Rajkumar Tewari said though the exact reason behind the man’s action was yet to be ascertained, doctors said that he was murmuring while being treated at the district hospital that he did this as he dreamt last night that his wish would be fulfilled if he slit his throat before the Goddess. Tewari said the incident took place at Maa Kali temple on Sitapur road where hundreds of devotees were present .

He said some eyewitnesses said Verma performed prayers for over 30 minutes before slitting his throat in front of the goddess’ idol.

He said it seemed that the youth slit his throat due to superstitious belief.

"An eyewitness told the police that the man slit his throat after reciting some mantras before the Goddess’ idol," Tewari said.

He said many other devotees, who were present there, started beating drums to hail his act .

He said temple authorities immediately alerted the police after spotting the man bleeding profusely and pushed the devotees out of the room.

In a similar incident, a man identified as Brijesh Prajapati had sacrificed his tongue at a temple in Newajpur village on Kursi Road in Madiaon area of Lucknow on September 21, 2017.

In another Lucknow incident, a woman Sattana Devi , 55, sacrificed her tongue in Marimata temple near Pucca Pul in Chowk area on December 3, 2010.

She did this as she wanted to get her son married. Her son Munna’s marriage was fixed several times but was cancelled.

SOME EYEWITNESSES SAID VERMA PERFORMED PRAYERS FOR OVER 30 MINUTES BEFORE SLITTING HIS THROAT IN FRONT OF THE GODDESS’ IDOL