Congress party leader Kanhaiya Kumar
Credit: PTI Photo
A temple in Bihar's Saharsa district was reportedly washed after the visit of Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, leading to controversy as the grand old party questioned if their supporters will be treated as "untouchables".
As per a report in The Indian Express, the incident unfolded when Kumar, who began his political career with the CPI, visited a Goddess Durga temple at Bangaon village, during his 'Palayan Roko, Naukri Do' (Stop Migration, Provide Jobs) yatra. The motive of this state-wide 'pada-yatra' launched by the Congress in Bihar is highlighting the endemic unemployment in the province which is blamed for migration of young population on a large scale.
Kumar even delivered an address from the temple premises. Soon after, a video took social media by storm where some people can be seen washing the temple, seemingly after Kanhaiya's visit.
“We want to know if only RSS and BJP supporters are pious people and the rest are untouchable. The act has disrespected the descendants of Lord Parshuram. Have we entered a new phase of ultra-Sanskritisation in which non-BJP parties and supporters will be treated as untouchables?” Congress spokesperson Gyan Ranjan Gupta told the publication.
However, BJP refuted the claims and said that the washing of the temple after Kanhaiya's visit shows the public's rejection towards him.
“In the first place, we should first verify the identity of those who washed the temple after Kanhaiya Kumar’s visit. And if a temple is washed after the Congress leader’s visit, it shows the kind of rejection towards Kanhaiya Kumar’s brand of politics," The Indian Express quoted BJP spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari as saying.
Meanwhile, a resident of the village clarified that people of all castes are allowed inside the temple and the washing of the temple must be the work of some miscreants.