In a dramatic turn of events, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader found himself on the receiving end of a temple priest’s ire when he attempted to offer a replica of the T20 World Cup trophy at a Hanuman temple. What was intended to be a grand photo-op turned into a public embarrassment as the chief priest accused the politician of engaging in “cheap publicity stunts” in the name of faith.

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the local TMC leader, accompanied by his followers and a camera crew, arrived at the temple with a replica of the winning trophy. The priest intercepted them at the entrance, refusing to allow the “offering.” He questioned the leader’s intentions, asking, “This trophy belongs to the players who fought for the nation. Why are you bringing it here for cameras? Is this devotion or a political circus?”

The priest’s blunt assessment left the TMC delegation speechless. He further added that a temple is a place of worship and not a stage for political branding. Despite attempts by the leader’s supporters to justify the move as a gesture of gratitude, the priest stood his ground, forcing the group to leave the premises without performing the ritual. The opposition BJP was quick to react, mocking the TMC for its “desperate attempt to hijack the cricket victory,” while netizens have largely sided with the priest, praising his stand against the politicization of sports and religion.