Ram Temple ‘Purification’ Row Sparks Caste Tensions in Alwar Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Visit

Alwar— A controversy over caste and religious symbolism has erupted in Rajasthan’s Alwar district after BJP leader Gyan Dev Ahuja attempted to “purify” a Ram temple with Ganga water following a visit by senior Dalit Congress leader Tika Ram Jully. The move has triggered sharp political reactions, with the Congress terming it an insult to the Dalit community and the BJP scrambling to contain the fallout.

The row intensified just ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Alwar on Ambedkar Jayanti. The district administration is on high alert, bracing for widespread protests from Dalit organisations demanding an apology from Ahuja. The former BJP MLA, however, has refused to apologise, insisting his act was not caste-based.

Facing mounting criticism and worried about its Dalit vote base, the BJP has suspended Ahuja from the party and served him a notice. But the damage may already be done in a district where two of six assembly seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes. Political observers say the incident has the potential to shift voter sentiment and reshape electoral equations in the region.

The Congress, sensing an opportunity, has gone on the offensive. “The BJP’s mindset is anti-Dalit,” Rahul Gandhi said, accusing the ruling party of trying to undermine the Constitution. “India should be governed by the Constitution, not texts like Manusmriti that treat Bahujans as second-class citizens.”

Tika Ram Jully, who had attended the Ram temple consecration in Alwar last week, condemned the purification ritual as a blatant caste insult. “It reflects deep-rooted prejudice,” he said.

Ahuja, defending his actions, denied any caste motivation. He claimed that Congress leaders had no moral right to attend temple ceremonies, pointing out that they had boycotted the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

With caste sensitivities flaring, the political temperature in Alwar is on the rise. Dalit organisations have vowed to protest until Ahuja apologises. Meanwhile, the Congress is looking to turn the controversy into a rallying point for Dalit mobilisation ahead of upcoming elections.