A woman dressed up as goddess Kanaka Durga was quivering in anger against the alleged irregularities in Kanaka Durga temple here. “The corruption in the temple will not be tolerated anymore,” she roared, even as the people tried to pacify her.

It was part of a novel protest by CPI(M) activists near Durga ghat against alleged irregularities in Kanaka Durga temple, here on Thursday. The party activists led by city secretary Ch. Babu Rao submitted a memorandum to the woman who acted as goddess Kanaka Durga. The temple was turning out to be a haven for corrupt officials. The public representatives were doing their level best to turn the temple as source to plunder, they said. Mr. Babu Rao said the temple was mired in many controversies. Not a single day passes without hubbub over irregularities and corruption in the temple, which was one of the biggest temples in the state.

Recently, a sack of coins created a flutter. None knew how the bag appeared all of sudden. The bribe at tonsuring hall was also rampant. If kickbacks from kesa khandanasala alone were Rs. 1 lakh per month, one could imagine the height of corruption in the temple, he said. The irregularities in construction of the retaining wall were hushed up. Now, none were speaking about it. Crores of rupees were being misused under the garb of development, he alleged. CPI(M) west zone-2 secretary N. Prasad, ex corporator B. Satya Babu and others were present.