Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra claimed that no one had stopped actors Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt from taking darshan at Mahakal temple in Ujjain, but the couple avoided visiting the temple due to a protest, a day after Bajrang Dal workers demonstrated.

The minister also said that actors should refrain from making such remarks which can hurt the sentiments of the people.

Ranbir and Alia did not visit the temple on Tuesday night after the protest held by right-wing activists over the alleged remarks of Ranbir over beef-eating. The police had also resorted to cane-charge to disperse the protesters.

“The protest is a different matter. There was no restriction on them to offer prayers (at the temple). Other persons accompanying the actor couple had offered prayers and all arrangements were in place,” said Mishra, spokesman of state government. He also added that the local administration told him that Ranbir and Alia were requested to visit the temple “but it was their decision not to go there because of the protest”.

However amid the protest, Brahmastra director Ayan Mukherjee took darshan on Tuesday night, temple priest Ashish Pujari said.

“We will not allow them to worship at the holy Mahakaleshwar temple as a few days back Ranbir had said that he likes to eat mutton, chicken and beef in non-veg food. Even Alia had said that those who want to see her film Brahmastra should watch while others who are not keen shouldn’t,” a Bajrang Dal leader had told reporters.