Congress Questions if Non-BJP Supporters Will Be Treated as ‘Untouchables’ After Bihar Temple Is ‘Cleaned Following Kanhaiya’s Visit’

In a controversial turn of events in Bihar, the Congress party has raised serious concerns after a temple was allegedly ‘washed’ following the visit of Kanhaiya Kumar, a former student leader and prominent political figure. Kanhaiya, who has been a vocal critic of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had visited a temple in the state, which sparked a chain of reactions, culminating in the cleaning of the premises. The Congress has now questioned whether non-BJP supporters would be treated as “untouchables” in light of this incident.

The Incident

The incident occurred in Bihar’s Begusarai district, where Kanhaiya Kumar, who has previously represented the region as a Member of Parliament, visited a local temple during a recent trip. Following his visit, reports emerged that the temple was cleaned in what many have described as a highly unusual move. The cleaning reportedly included the washing of the temple premises and the removal of offerings left behind, sparking suspicions that the action was taken due to Kanhaiya’s association with opposition politics, particularly his past affiliations with the Left parties and his vocal opposition to the BJP.

The act of cleaning, according to local sources, was perceived as a way to ‘purify’ the temple after a visit by someone considered ideologically aligned with the opposition. The temple authorities and local BJP leaders have not issued a clear explanation for the cleaning, but the incident has fueled political debates about whether it was intended as an act of political segregation.

Congress’s Response

The Congress party, led by senior leaders like Randeep Surjewala, immediately reacted to the incident, accusing the ruling BJP of fostering a climate of division. Surjewala, in a sharply worded statement, questioned the motivations behind the temple’s cleaning, asserting that such actions reflected an intolerance towards non-BJP supporters and dissenters. He raised the crucial question: “Will non-BJP supporters be treated as untouchables in the eyes of the government and its supporters?”

“This is not just an attack on Kanhaiya Kumar; it is an attack on the very principles of equality, inclusivity, and respect for differing political views,” Surjewala remarked. “We have seen how dissent is increasingly being silenced across the country, but now, in Bihar, we witness temples being treated as political instruments to segregate citizens based on their ideology.”

The Congress leader further accused the BJP of politicizing religious places, using them to promote sectarian divisions rather than fostering unity among the people. “The BJP seems to believe that temples should only be visited by those who support their ideology,” he said, adding, “This action sends a message that those who do not support the BJP’s agenda are unwelcome even in places of worship.”

The BJP’s Stand

In contrast, the BJP has denied any involvement in the cleaning of the temple and has dismissed the Congress’s allegations as baseless. BJP spokespersons claimed that the act of cleaning was a routine maintenance procedure, unrelated to the political affiliations of the individuals involved. However, the lack of an official statement from the temple authorities or any local BJP leaders about the specific motivations behind the cleaning has left room for speculation.

Supporters of the ruling party have, however, criticized Kanhaiya Kumar for his visit to the temple, suggesting that his presence was seen as a contradiction to the values upheld by the temple. Some have even argued that his alignment with the Leftist ideologies could be viewed as incompatible with the conservative ethos of certain religious institutions.

The Political Ramifications

The controversy has reignited debates over the politicization of religion in India, especially with the increasing influence of the BJP in many states. Critics argue that the BJP has blurred the lines between politics and religion, using religious symbolism and practices to appeal to its core Hindu voter base. The cleaning incident in Bihar has raised uncomfortable questions about whether this trend is leading to the exclusion of political dissenters from religious and cultural spaces.

Kanhaiya Kumar, for his part, has not directly commented on the temple cleaning but has condemned the broader atmosphere of intolerance that he believes is being cultivated by the BJP. In recent interviews, he expressed concern that such actions are symptomatic of a larger trend in which those who do not conform to the ruling party’s ideology are being marginalized.

The incident also underscores the growing polarization in Indian politics, where political ideologies are increasingly dictating not only what happens in the public sphere but also how individuals are treated in private spaces, including religious institutions.

A Broader Concern: The Attack on Secularism

At the heart of the Congress’s allegations lies a broader concern: the erosion of India’s secular values. In a country where religion and politics have long been intertwined, the Congress argues that religious institutions should remain neutral spaces where all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, feel welcome. The act of cleaning a temple in response to the visit of a political figure, particularly when that figure is from the opposition, raises serious questions about the neutrality of religious spaces and whether they are being weaponized for political purposes.

In response, secularists have called for an investigation into the incident and for more transparency regarding the motivations behind the cleaning. They argue that religious places should be free from political interference and that such incidents contribute to the growing divide between India’s diverse communities.

Conclusion

The incident in Bihar, where a temple was allegedly cleaned after Kanhaiya Kumar’s visit, has sparked a fierce political and ideological debate. While the BJP has denied any deliberate action tied to political motives, the Congress has raised valid concerns about the growing trend of political exclusion and the increasing politicization of religious institutions. As this controversy continues to unfold, it highlights the deepening divisions in Indian society and the challenges of maintaining secularism in an era where religion and politics are often seen as inseparable.