'High' drama: Man climbs atop Mumbai temple, threatens to jump

There was ‘high' drama at the premises of Sarveshwar Temple in Kurla yesterday when a 45-year-old local decorator climbed up to the roof of the temple and, perched there, threatened to take a plunge and take his life if his demands to the BMC were not met.

Two fire tenders, an ambulance, a police van, and scores of policemen gathered around the temple to make sure Wakde got down safely

According to the police, the episode continued for two-and-a-half hours, after Rajendra alias Rajan Wakde climbed up at 8.30 am and refused to come down. Two fire tenders, an ambulance, a police van, and scores of policemen gathered around the premises to make sure Wakde got down safely.

An officer from Kurla police station said, "The episode disrupted the work of many government officials. We had to ensure that Wakde came down safely, or we would have been blamed for his death." "Wakde has some dispute with the BMC officials.

According to them, he had built an illegal mandap inside the temple premises, where functions are being conducted, for which the BMC had issued a notice. On Tuesday, Wakde had met the BMC ward officer with the temple's trustee and the local corporator, but there was no breakthrough. So he decided to take this step."

According to the police, Wakde climbed up to a height of 50 feet, and started threatening to jump off and commit suicide. Sarveshwar temple is a well-known 130-year-old temple in Kurla. He finally climbed down at 11.30 am after an official from the BMC came and spoke to him. He was taken to Bhabha Hospital for a medical check-up, as he has diabetes.

Wakde said, "I have been fighting for the temple and the trust. Poor people have been getting married inside the temple and BMC wants to stop that. My family has been serving this temple for many years, and that is why I am fighting on its behalf."