BJP MLA Claims Caste Discrimination at Uttar Pradesh Temple Ritual

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Uttar Pradesh’s Malihabad, Jai Devi Kaushal, has made serious allegations of caste-based discrimination during a recent ritual at a temple in Kakori. The event, aimed at worshipping the land ahead of the temple’s renovation, has sparked a significant controversy.

Kaushal, who belongs to the Pasi community—recognized as a Scheduled Caste under India’s affirmative action framework—reported that she was excluded from participating in key rituals at the Sheetla Temple on Wednesday. According to her statements, she was not allowed to touch any items, including flowers, during the bhoomi pujan, an event that signifies the beginning of construction activities.

The occasion was marked by the Uttar Pradesh government’s allocation of approximately Rs 78 lakh for the temple’s renovation. In a statement to the media, Kaushal expressed her dismay, saying, “They did not allow me to touch even a flower or be part of the bhoomi pujan because I am from the Pasi community.” Her remarks highlight ongoing issues surrounding caste discrimination in various facets of Indian society.

In response to these allegations, the Hindu Jan Seva Samiti, a group involved in temple management and community welfare, has dismissed Kaushal’s claims. Prajwal Gupta, the president of the group, contended that the organizers had actually invited her to perform a ritual act by breaking a coconut and had prepared garlands in her honor, which she reportedly declined before leaving the event.

Kaushal has called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take immediate notice of the incident. Speaking on the broader implications of caste discrimination, she stated, “We have fought a long battle against caste discrimination.” This incident not only raises questions about the treatment of Scheduled Castes in religious spaces but also reflects the underlying societal challenges that persist in modern India. As the nation continues to grapple with issues of inequality, such incidents serve as a reminder of the work still needed to ensure equity and justice for all communities.

Source: scroll.in