BJP Suspends Leader Over Temple ‘Purification’ After Dalit MLA’s Visit
In Rajasthan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended its leader, Gyandev Ahuja, following a controversial incident where he performed a “purification” ritual at a temple after the visit of Dalit Congress MLA Tikaram Jully. Ahuja’s actions have ignited significant political debate and criticism.
Incident Details
On April 6, 2025, during the Ram Navami celebrations, Tikaram Jully attended the consecration ceremony of a Ram temple in Alwar’s Apna Ghar Shalimar area. Following Jully’s visit, Gyandev Ahuja, a former MLA from Ramgarh, visited the temple and sprinkled Gangajal (holy water) inside the premises. Ahuja justified this act by stating it was necessary to “purify” the temple after “impure” individuals had entered. He remarked, “I do not want to take anyone’s name, but we all know who was at the temple.”
Political Reactions
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from various political figures:
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Tikaram Jully (Congress): Jully condemned Ahuja’s actions, stating they reflect the BJP’s mentality towards Dalits. He questioned whether the BJP harbors such animosity towards Dalits that they cannot even perform religious rituals without facing discrimination. Jully called for clarification from Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and BJP state president Madan Rathore regarding their stance on the matter.
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Ashok Gehlot (Congress, Former CM): Gehlot labeled Ahuja’s behavior as indicative of deep-seated caste bias within the BJP. He emphasized that such regressive thinking is unacceptable in modern society and questioned whether the state leadership supports such actions.
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Govind Singh Dotasra (Congress, State President): Dotasra criticized the BJP for its apparent disdain towards marginalized communities, highlighting that the party’s actions are detrimental to Dalits, farmers, women, and laborers.
BJP’s Response
Facing mounting pressure, the BJP swiftly distanced itself from Ahuja’s actions. State president Madan Rathore expressed confusion over Ahuja’s behavior, stating that the party does not endorse such actions. Rathore mentioned he had spoken to Ahuja, who justified his actions by referencing Congress leaders’ past criticisms of Lord Ram, but emphasized that the party does not support such statements.
Subsequently, the BJP suspended Ahuja and issued him a show-cause notice, citing his actions as detrimental to the party’s image and constituting grave indiscipline. Ahuja has been given three days to respond, failing which further disciplinary action may be initiated.
Background on Gyandev Ahuja
Gyandev Ahuja has a history of controversial statements and actions. In 2016, he claimed that Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was a hub for anti-national activities, alleging the daily presence of used condoms and liquor bottles on campus. He has also publicly supported cow vigilantes, controversially stating that there is no regret over the killing of Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer, by cow protection groups.
Current Controversy and Implications
The recent “purification” incident has intensified discussions on caste-based discrimination and the BJP’s stance on Dalit issues. With Dalits constituting a significant portion of Rajasthan’s electorate, the party’s handling of this controversy may impact its political standing in the state. The Congress party has announced statewide protests, accusing the BJP of endorsing casteist behavior.
As the situation unfolds, both the BJP and Congress are navigating the political ramifications of this incident, with the potential to influence upcoming electoral dynamics in Rajasthan.
