Actor Dileep dropped from temple event following backlash from a section of devotees

Ernakulam: A major row erupted after a war of words escalated between the temple authorities of Ernakulam Shiva temple and devotees after it was decided to include actor Dileep for inaugurating the ticket distribution for the temple festival.

The distribution coupon had the photo of actor Dileep which incidentally did not go well with a section of devotees who questioned the temple advisory committee. Sensing further protest from a section of devotees and the public, the temple advisory committee removed his name from the coupon.

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Actor Dileep was acquitted in the sensational actress assault case a week ago by the Ernakulam sessions court. However Dileep was scheduled to do the coupon distribution on December 16, 7am. Dileep’s name and photo was also printed in the tickets by the temple committee members. However, in a day’s time the printed photo went viral leading to criticism from a section of devotees. In no time, the criticism snowballed into a major controversy forcing the committee members to drop the actor’s name.

Later the Cochin Devaswom Board members intervened in the matter and asked the temple committee members to drop Dileep’s name.

“It was Dileep himself who requested to remove his name from the coupon distribution function”, said Temple advisory committee member Ashok Kumar to News9.

“Dileep visits the temple almost every week. We decided to invite Dileep after he was acquitted in the case. It was a unanimous decision. However, the matter turned worse after a section of devotees protested in cyber space raising further concerns among the temple committee members. Later Dileep came to know about this and conveyed his decision to refrain from the event”, said Ashok Kumar to News9.

“Devaswom board president called me the other day and conveyed his concern and requested me to take a decision that does not create any inconvenience for the devotees”, he said.

Following the incident, the temple advisory committee decided to postpone to the distribution function to Wednesday after Dileep called up the members of the temple committee and informed his decision to refrain from the event.

Prosecution failed to prove conspiracy charge against Dileep: Sessions court 

 While acquitting actor Dileep of all charges in the 2017 actress rape and abduction case, the Ernakulam Sessions Court held that the prosecution failed to prove conspiracy by Dileep in the case.The case refers to the abduction and sexual assault of an actress in a moving vehicle in the outskirts of Cochin on February 17, 2017, wherein videos of her assault were also taken during the assault.