Muslim minister's entry in Hindu temple with CM Nitish hurts Hindu religious sentiments
23 Aug 2022 16:41:44
Gaya, Aug 23: The BJP on Tuesday demanded an apology from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for hurting religious sentiments after he entered a temple with a non-Hindu minister.
The entry of non-Hindu devotees is not allowed in Gaya's Vishnupad temple and the rule has been in place for the last 100 years. Signs with the message “Entry of non-Hindus is prohibited” are installed at the entrance of the temple.
However, Nitish Kumar kicked up a major controversy when he entered the temple premises accompanied by Bihar IT minister Mohammad Israil Mansuri, a non-Hindu. The Bihar CM offered prayers in the sanctum sanctorum with Mansuri by his side, along with other leaders. Hitting out at Nitish Kumar, Bihar BJP chief S Jaiswal asked the Bihar CM to apologize for deliberately mocking Hindus. “CM Nitish Kumar knows that entry of non-Hindus is not permitted inside the 'garbh griha'. He did it deliberately to mock Hindus. It's a part of a conspiracy. He should apologize to Hindus,” said Jaiswal, as quoted by news agency ANI. BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand also demanded an apology from Nitish Kumar for hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus. The breach by Nitish Kumar and his minister has also earned the Vishnupad temple management committee’s ire. Shambhu Lal Bitthal, the temple committee’s working president, expressed anger over the incident and said at the time, they were not aware the Bihar CM would arrive with a non-Hindu. “We did not recognize him [Mansuri]. Those who were aware of the matter should have stopped this. This has angered the committee. This was done deliberately. Many VIP guests and ministers have come in the past, but Muslims or Christians have never entered Vishnupad temple. Those who made the mistake should apologize,” said Bitthal. Mahesh Lal Gupta, a member of Vishnupad temple management committee, said the authorities should have been given advance notice that a non-Hindu would be part of the visiting delegation.
“Had they given prior information, then the entry of the non-Hindu would have been stopped. There were other Muslim office bearers accompanying the CM, but they did not enter. For non-Hindus, there is a designated place at the Vishnupad temple from where they are given information about the temple,” said Gupta.