Tension prevailed in Ramanagaram town on Sunday morning after a place of worship was allegedly desecrated by a 20-year-old-youth, who was reportedly inebriated.

Following a protest against the alleged desecration, movement of traffic on the busy Bangalore–Mysore highway was disrupted for nearly an hour. Several business establishments downed shutter.

The protesters had to be convinced by the police to withdraw their stir on the highway since vehicles were piling up.

The incident came to light when a priest came to open the place of worship and saw the youth, later identified as Rahman, moving around on the premises. He raised an alarm and tried to catch him. A few people rushed to the priest’s help and caught the youth. Public thrashed the youth before handing him over to the police.

In his complaint to the police, the priest said the temple tower was damaged. The police suspect that the accused, who works in a local shop, might have come to steal valuables.

On learning about the incident, members of some organisations took out a rally, demanding action against the accused. They have given a call for a bandh in the town on Monday. The Ramanagaram police, however, said they had not been informed about the bandh plan by any organisation.