Congres ‘desecrated’ Alwar Ram temple, says Rajasthan BJP leader Gyandev Ahuja, stirs caste controversy

JAIPUR/ALWAR: Former BJP MLA Gyandev Ahuja stirred a political controversy Monday when he claimed the Ram Mandir in Alwar's Shalimar Residential Society had been "desecrated" after Congress functionaries, including Congress' Scheduled Caste face and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, participated in the 'pran pratishta' (consecration) ceremony on April 6.

Ahuja, who represented Ramgarh constituency twice from 1998-2003 and 2013-2018, said he "purified" the temple and other temples within the housing society with 'Ganga jal' following the ceremony on Monday. Union minister Bhupender Yadav and other leaders of the BJP too had performed puja during the April 6 ceremony. tnn

Ahuja's remark triggered angry reactions from the Congress, with Jully accusing him and BJP of blatant caste discrimination.

"Does BJP support the notion that temples should be washed with 'Ganga jal' after a Dalit visits them," he asked, a sentiment echoed by party veterans, including former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, former deputy CM Sachin Pilot and PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, each of whom who called Ahuja's statement an insult to B R Ambedkar.

"Ahuja's remark...reeks of casteism and undermines the fight against untouchability. What's worse is the BJP's silence which amounts to endorsement. By not condemning Ahuja, BJP exposes its anti-Ambedkar mindset and its deep discomfort with social equality," Jully said.

Condemning the statements, Gehlot said, "BJP leader Shri Gyandev Ahuja sprinkling Ganga jal after the visit of Leader of Opposition Shri @TikaRamJullyINC shows BJP's ill will towards Dalits. Such narrow mindedness is unacceptable in a civilised society in the 21st century. It must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Does the CM and state president of BJP agree with the behaviour of their senior leader? Will BJP take action against him for this disgusting act?"

A controversial figure in BJP, Ahuja has a history of issuing such statements. In 2016, he claimed that used condoms and liquor bottles were found in dustbins in Jawaharlal Nehru University's hostel rooms everyday, and described the varsity as a hub of "sex and drugs". In 2022, he stirred up a storm again by exhorting people to kill those involved in cow smuggling.

On Monday, Ahuja also accused the organisers of the consecration ceremony of inviting Congress leaders who have questioned the very existence of Lord Ram, and said it was tantamount to "compromising the sanctity of the temple".

"People who once called Lord Ram imaginary and filed affidavits denying his existence should not be part of religious ceremonies honouring him," Ahuja said.

Explaining his actions, Ahuja added, "I was not in Alwar on the day of the ceremony. So I performed the purification ritual by sprinkling 'Ganga jal' on Monday."