BJP Expels Former Rajasthan MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja Amid Temple Purification Controversy
The BJP in Rajasthan has expelled former MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja from the party following a controversy over a temple “purification” ritual that sparked widespread outrage. The action was taken after the BJP’s disciplinary committee conducted a probe into the matter, a party order confirmed on Sunday.
State BJP president Madan Rathore directed that Mr Ahuja’s primary membership be terminated on grounds of “indiscipline.”
The controversy erupted earlier this month when Mr Ahuja sprinkled Ganga water at a Ram temple in Alwar, claiming it was to “purify” the site after Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, a Dalit, attended a consecration ceremony there. His actions drew strong criticism, with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot calling it an “insult” to Dalits.
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Ahuja appeared before the BJP’s disciplinary committee to explain his actions. Speaking to reporters afterward, he insisted, “I have not done anything anti-Dalit.” He alleged that the BJP had wrongly expelled him under Congress pressure and accused senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, of defamation. Mr Ahuja said he plans to pursue legal action over the issue.
Defending his act, Mr Ahuja claimed there was no caste angle involved. He argued that his actions were a response to Congress leaders’ earlier skepticism about the existence of Lord Ram and their boycott of the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration, not because of Mr Jully’s Dalit identity.
The temple event in Alwar, organized around 20 days ago on Ram Navami, was attended by Tikaram Jully. After the purification incident, Jully had remarked that the move reflected the BJP’s discriminatory mindset toward Dalits. Ashok Gehlot echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the BJP for what he called their “narrow-mindedness” towards Dalits.
Despite the uproar, Mr Ahuja maintains he acted solely based on political and religious differences not caste discrimination.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
