In an incident sparking massive outrage, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were seen cleaning temple premises in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, shortly after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav performed puja there.
In a video that went viral on social media platforms, BJP workers are seen cleaning the Siddhapeeth Baba Gauri Shanker Mahadev Mandir with Gangajal (Ganga water). The saffron party has draws criticism for engaging in a symbolic “purification” following Yadav’s visit.
The Samajwadi Party leader had visited the temple as part of his campaign trail. After the massive outrage, BJP workers justified their move and alleged that Akhilesh was accompanied by several Muslim leaders who entered the temple.
BJP city president Shivendra Kumar Gwal as quoted by the National Herald said that some Muslims and people from other communities accompanying the SP leader had entered the temple wearing shoes. He alleged that the visitor spat inside the premises prompting the party leaders to clean the temple premises.
The SP leaders later said that the reason behind washing the temple premises was not that Muslims had visited. They said the BJP leaders washed the temple because Akhilesh Yadav belongs to the backward class, proving how the saffron party’s behaviour toward ST, and SCs communities is. They alleged that RSS does not consider backward and Dalit communities Hindus.
SP leader IP Singh wrote on X, “RSS does not consider backward and Dalit classes as Hindus. When such a big leader of the country Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji visits the temple, the Sanghis wash the temple premises with Gangajal. They will not allow a common backward Dalit person to enter. That is why people are leaving Hinduism and accepting Buddhism. RSS was formed to destroy Hinduism.”
As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, the Kannauj temple controversy is likely to be one of many such incidents that will shape the political discourse in Uttar Pradesh.
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