The temple administrator washed the temple building and also demanded the removal of the minister from Mr. Cabinet. Kumar. BJP state leaders previously demanded a ‘public apology’ from the chief minister for bringing a non-Hindu into the garbh-grih temple (sanctum sanctorum).

Entry of non-Hindus is strictly prohibited inside the famous Vishnupad Temple where people come to pray after offering pind and their ancestors on the banks of the Falgu River. Although the prohibition was written in bold letters on the walls of the temple.

“There is a lot of hatred among the panda samaj (community of priests) here after a minister from a non-Hindu community visited with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The purification of the temple was done with all the rituals and prayers, while washing the place with water”, said the head of the management committee of the temple Shambhulal Vitthal who also demanded the dismissal of the minister from his post. The HinduThursday (8/25/2022).

A total of 20 to 21 pandas (priests) attended and participated in the purification prayer, he said. Earlier on August 22, Minister of Information and Technology Bihar Mohd. Israil Mansuri entered the sanctum sanctorum of the famous Vishnupad temple with chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is visiting Gaya to see preparations for the annual pitrapaksha mela (ancestor welfare fair).

The newly appointed minister (JD-U) in charge of the district, accompanied Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and prayed.

“I happen to have had the opportunity to enter the Vishnupad Temple with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar but I am honored to be able to enter the temple,” the minister said after visiting the temple.

“Since Lord Mansuri first became a minister, no one recognized him when he entered the sanctuary of the shrine. This is the first time a non-Hindu has entered the temple,” said Mr Vitthal

Later, state BJP leaders sparked an uproar over the minister’s visit to the Wisnupad temple and demanded a “public apology” from the chief minister.

“We demand a public apology from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for bringing Mohd. Israil Mansuri at Vishnupad temple where non-Hindus are prohibited from entering. Can he (Pak Kumar) consider setting foot in Makkah? If the Chief Minister refuses to apologize, he must be prepared for protests from BJP workers everywhere, including in the State Assembly,” said BJP State Chairman Sanjay Jaiswal.

Fellow BJP and MLA party leaders Haribhushan Thakur also questioned Minister Mohd’s inclusion. Israil Mansuri at Vishnupad Gaya Temple. “If on the walls of the temple it is written that it is forbidden for non-Hindus to enter, how can the minister bring his minister from another religious community there? It hurt the feelings of Hindus,” Mr Thakur said.