Bihar CM Nitish Kumar brings Muslim Min’ to temple where non-Hindus are not allowed; BJP accuses them of “hurting sentiments”

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Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, has sparked a political uproar by taking a Muslim member of his Cabinet to a temple in Gaya that is closed to non-Hindus. The CM has been challenged by the temple officials to apologise and take appropriate measures.

With Mohammad Israel Mansoori, the information and technology minister for Bihar, Nitish Kumar was seen visiting the Vishnupad Temple in Gaya. The latter was shown going into the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.

It should be noticed that the iconic Vishnupad temple in Gaya has “non-Hindu admittance forbidden” marked on its main entrance. But Nitish Kumar accompanied the Muslim leader.

The photographs caused a great deal of uproar on social media, and the BJP criticised the chief minister of Bihar for doing so. Gajadhar Lal Pathak, secretary of the Vishnupad temple, said: “It is against the law for the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to have visited the temple with the Muslim minister Mansoori. The prohibition on non-Hindus entering the temple grounds is stated in writing.”

“Countless Hindus are upset by Nitish Kumar’s actions. He should apologise to everyone, and after speaking with the temple committees, take additional action,” he added.

Mansoori should quit immediately for breaking the regulations of a sacred institution, according to BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, who used the occasion to criticise its erstwhile coalition partner JD(U). Allowing a Muslim to enter the shrine was a transgression by Nitish Kumar.

At the same time, Mansoori informed the reporters that he felt lucky to have accompanied CM Nitish Kumar into the inner sanctum of the Vishnupad temple.

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