BJP MPs Accused of Violating Temple Protocols
The Jharkhand Police have filed an FIR against BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Manoj Tiwari, and others for allegedly “forcibly entering” the sanctum sanctorum of the Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar on August 2. The incident reportedly occurred between 8:45 pm and 9 pm, during a time when VIP or VVIP entry was restricted due to the holy month of ‘Shravan’, which attracts a large number of devotees.
Legal Actions and Allegations
The FIR, lodged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, was based on a complaint by temple priest Kartik Nath Thakur. It accuses the MPs of disrupting religious traditions and causing a disturbance during the ‘kancha jal puja’ ritual. The complaint further alleges that their actions led to a scuffle with police officers, creating panic among thousands of devotees and nearly causing a stampede.
MPs’ Response and Ongoing Controversies
While both MPs have not publicly responded to phone calls, Nishikant Dubey addressed the issue on social media, stating that multiple cases have been registered against him for worship-related activities. He announced plans to surrender at the police station upon arrival at Deoghar airport.
Significance of ‘Shravan’ and Temple Revenue
The Baba Baidyanath Temple is a significant pilgrimage site during ‘Shravan’, drawing approximately 55 lakh ‘Kanwariyas’ who travel from Sultanganj in Bihar to offer holy Ganga water. The temple has generated around Rs 7.5 crore in revenue from July 11 to August 5, including income from various temple services.
Previous Controversies Involving the MPs
This is not the first controversy involving these MPs. In August 2022, they were implicated in another FIR for allegedly pressuring Air Traffic Control officials at Deoghar airport to clear their chartered flight for takeoff beyond scheduled hours. This incident led to a public dispute with local authorities, highlighting ongoing tensions between Dubey and regional officials.