After Muslim MLA Enters Temple In UP, Hindu Groups Purify It With 'Gangajal'

After a Muslim lawmaker paid a visit to a temple in Uttar Pradesh's Siddharth Nagar district, several members from Hindu outfits sprinkled 'Gangajal' on the temple's premises to "purify" it, the IANS reported.

Saiyada Khatoon, SP MLA from Domariaganj, visited the temple to attend an event. The legislator said that the temple administration had invited him to take part in the event on Sunday.

Following the Ram Katha event, on Monday, the Chairman of the local panchayat, along with members of various Hindu organizations, visited the temple. They sprinkled Gangajal, recited the Hanuman Chalisa, and chanted slogans against Khatoon, the police said.

Speaking to the news agency, Dharmaraj Verma, Chairman, Barhni Chafa Nagar Panchayat, said, "Samya Mata Mandir is a centre of faith for devotees. People throng the temple with a dedication that was disrespected by the local MLA. She is non-vegetarian and her visit affected the sanctity of the place."

Several members of different Hindu organisations, including Santosh Paswan, Mithlesh Pandey, Vijai Madhesia and Pramod Gautam had come with Verma, who admitted that they sprinkled Gangajal on the temple to "purify" it.

According to Domariaganj Circle Officer Sujit Kumar Rai, a police team is patrolling the area to prevent any potential confrontation. He added that they have not received any complaints related to the incident so far.

Rai stated that the residents of the locality had formed an organizing committee for the Ram Katha. Shrikant Shukla, the secretary of the organizing committee, and Pujari Prasad, the head priest of the temple, were appointed as its leaders. The SP leader was extended an invitation by this committee.

"We are inquiring into the incident and keeping a close eye on the development," said the Superintendent of Police, Siddharth Nagar, Abhishek Kumar Agarwal.

The SP MLA said, "I respect all religions. Moreover, I am a public representative. Be it a temple or a mosque, I will surely go there if I am invited."

The MLA further said the renovation of several temples had been financed through her local area development fund.

This occurrence is not unprecedented in Uttar Pradesh, as a similar incident took place in 2018 when a temple in Hamirpur district underwent purification with Gangajal after a Dalit woman lawmaker, affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, visited the temple.