Bihar Information and Technology Minister Mohd. Israil Mansuri’s visit to the famous the Vishnupad temple in Gaya, along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on August 22, has sparked a row, with State BJP leaders on Tuesday demanding a “public apology” from Mr. Kumar. Entry of non-Hindus is “prohibited” at the temple. However, Mr. Mansuri said he had felt “honoured” to enter the temple.
“We demand a public apology from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for taking Mohd. Israil Mansuri into the Vishnupad temple where entry of non-Hindus is prohibited. Can he [Mr. Kumar] think of setting his foot inside Mecca? If the Chief Minister refuses to apologise, he should be ready for protests from BJP workers everywhere, including the State Assembly,” said State BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal.
“When it is written on the wall of the temple that the entry of non-Hindus is prohibited, how could the Chief Minister take his Minister from other religious community there? It has hurt the sentiments of Hindus,” BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur said.
