1 week Ago By Moneycontrol
After he reportedly sprinkled "gangajal" at a temple in Alwar to "purify" the premises after Congress leader Tikaram Jully, a Dalit, attended the consecration ceremony, the BJP brass in Rajasthan suspended Gyandev Ahuja from the party. According to NDTV, the notice was issued by BJP MP and senior Rajasthan leader Damodar Agarwal. The party has sought an explanation from Ahuja within three days.
According to NDTV, the notice stated that if the former MLA does not send his response to state party chief Madan Rathore within three days, he will face disciplinary action. "While taking the party's primary membership, you took an oath that you will not discriminate based on caste, gender and religion. But you sprinkled 'gangajal' to protest Tikaram Jully's visit.
Your action has maligned the party's image and falls into the category of indiscipline," the notice stated as quoted by NDTV. A temple in Alwar held its consecration ceremony on Ramnavami. Among those who attended the event was Tika Ram Jully, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly and three-time Congress MLA from Alwar Rural.
Ahuja told PTI that he took the step because of Congress leaders' view and approach towards Lord Ram and not because Jully is a "Dalit". "I purified the temple because Congress leaders believe that Lord Ram was a mythological character. They have questioned the existence of Lord Ram.
It is wrong to say that I took this step because he (Jully) is a Dalit and entered a temple," he said. Meanwhile, Jully claimed that Ahuja's act was indicative of the BJP's mentality towards Dalits. He claimed it was not only an attack on his faith but also an effort to promote untouchability.
"I had raised the voice of Dalits in the assembly and talked about running a campaign against untouchability. But BJP's mentality is such that they washed the temple with Ganga water since I am a Dalit and I visited the temple," the Congress leader told Times of India..
