'Another Example Of BJP's Anti-Dalit Mindset': Rahul Gandhi Reacts To Temple 'Purify' Row
Alwar, Rajasthan: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the BJP of “continually insulting Dalits” while pointing out the latest instance of the saffron party’s “anti-Dalit and Manuwadi thinking.”
On Sunday, BJP leader and former MLA Gyandev Ahuja sprinkled Ganga water at a Ram temple in Rajasthan’s Alwar, a day after Dalit Congress leader Tikaram Jully visited the temple for a consecration ceremony, sparking outrage against the BJP leader. After sprinkling the Ganga water on the Ram temple, the BJP leader was heard saying, “Dalits are impure, and that those impure people had entered the temple. So we washed the Ram temple with Gangajal”.
Earlier, Ahuja had reportedly said the temple would have became impure when “his feet” entered the temple and “his hands” touched the deity.
Sharing the viral video of the BJP leader washing the temple after the Dalit politician’s visit, Rahul Gandhi lamented the action by calling the incident “another example of BJP’s anti-Dalit and Manuwadi thinking!” The Congress leader alleged that the BJP has been continuously insulting Dalits and attacking the Constitution.
“Therefore, not only respecting the Constitution but also protecting it is important. Modiji, the country will be run by the Constitution and its ideals, not by Manusmriti which treats Bahujans as second-class citizens,” the Congress leader wrote on X.
बीजेपी की दलित विरोधी और मनुवादी सोच का एक और उदाहरण!
बीजेपी लगातार दलितों को अपमानित और संविधान पर आक्रमण करती आ रही है।
इसलिए संविधान का सिर्फ सम्मान नहीं, उसकी सुरक्षा भी ज़रूरी है।
मोदी जी, देश संविधान और उसके आदर्शों से चलेगा, मनुस्मृति से नहीं जो बहुजनों को दूसरे दर्जे… https://t.co/ruEXJgPMcf
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2025
In a social media post, the Congress party pointed out that this is not the first case that the members of the BJP and RSS have been continuously insulting Dalits. “What Modi’s close aide Gyandev Ahuja has done is living proof of BJP’s anti-Dalit mentality. It is clear that the BJP is anti-Dalit and this is its real tactics, character and face,” the Grand Old Party alleged.
The Congress further highlighted that it was because of the Constitution that the BJP and its supporters tolerate Dalits and hence they repeatedly talk about changing the Constitution.
Read Also: “Ruined All Excitement”: Upper Class Men Attack Dalit Groom’s Wedding Procession
However, following the public backlash, the BJP Rajasthan leadership has now suspended the controversial Gyandev Ahuja from the party and issued a show-cause notice. In the notice, BJP MP and senior Rajasthan leader Damodar Agarwal sought an explanation from Ahuja within three days regarding his conduct at the temple premises. The notice also warned that if the BJP leader does not send a response to the party, the leadership would take disciplinary action against the former MLA.
Notably, the move appears to be an appeasement towards the Dalit community, fearing a potential electoral setback in eastern Rajasthan, where Dalit voters play a key role.
