A new political controversy has emerged in Rajasthan after BJP leader and former MLA Gyandev Ahuja reportedly had Gangajal (sacred water) sprinkled at a Ram temple following a visit by Tikaram Jully, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan assembly, who is from the Dalit community. The incident took place after Jully attended a religious event, the Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav, at a Ram temple in Alwar on Sunday.
Reports say that Ahuja ordered the sprinkling of Gangajal at the temple shortly after Jully’s visit, which many interpreted as an attempt to “purify” the temple due to Jully’s Dalit background. This has sparked a backlash.
Jully expressed his anger on social media, calling Ahuja’s action an example of the BJP’s deep-seated prejudice against Dalits. He criticized the move, saying it was not only an attack on his personal faith but also an endorsement of untouchability. He also questioned whether the BJP had a problem with Dalits participating in religious ceremonies and demanded that the Chief Minister and BJP State President clarify their stance on such behavior.
In response, Gyandev Ahuja defended his actions, claiming that the temple organizers had invited people who had previously questioned the existence of Lord Ram. He called these individuals “sinful” and said they deserved the “purification” through Gangajal.
The incident has caused political uproar, with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemning Ahuja’s actions as a sign of the BJP’s caste bias. Congress leaders, including State President Govind Singh Dotasra, also criticized the BJP, accusing the party of harboring animosity toward Dalits, women, farmers, and laborers.
This controversy is not the first for Gyandev Ahuja, who has previously made inflammatory remarks, including statements that led to widespread criticism. The latest incident could have serious political consequences for the BJP, especially since Dalits make up around 17% of Rajasthan’s population, and 34 Assembly seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes.
