Ex-BJP MLA, Who 'Purified' Temple After Dalit Leader's Visit, Expelled From Party

The controversy erupted after the former MLA sprinkled Ganga water at a Ram temple in Alwar to purify it following a visit by Tikaram Jully, a Dalit man and Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan.

File photo of BJP leader Gyandev Ahuja.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan on Sunday expelled its former MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja, who was at the centre of the temple purification controversy, from primary membership of the party.

The action has been taken against Ahuja following a probe by BJP's disciplinary committee, a party order said. BJP state president Madan Rathore has given orders to terminate Ahuja's primary membership of the party for 'indiscipline'. 

"BJP state president Madan Rathore has given an order to terminate the primary membership of former MLA Gyandev Ahuja after indiscipline was proved against him," the party said in a statement.

The controversy erupted earlier this month after the former MLA sprinkled Ganga water at a Ram temple in Alwar to purify it following a visit by Tikaram Jully, a Dalit man and Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan.

Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot had termed Ahuja's act an insult to a Dalit. Earlier on Sunday, Ahuja appeared before the BJP's disciplinary committee to present his side. 

Later, talking to reporters, he said, "I have not done anything anti-Dalit." He further said that the BJP had made a mistake by expelling him by falling prey to the propaganda of the Congress. 

He also accused senior Congress leaders, including its president Mallikarjun Kharge, of defamation and said that he will file a case regarding this.

After the temple purification act, Ahuja had said that Congress leaders have no moral authority to attend such ceremonies as the party's leadership had questioned the existence of Lord Ram and boycotted the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya last year. He claimed that there was no Dalit angle to his act. 

The consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in a residential society of Alwar was held about 20 days ago on the occasion of Ram Navami and Tikaram Jully was in attendance.

Ahuja said that he took the step because of Congress leaders' view and approach towards lord Ram and not because of Jully being a Dalit.