Patna: BJP is up in arms against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after a non-Hindu minister entered the Gaya's Vishnupad temple with him.
Bihar IT minister Mohammad Israil Mansuri accompanied the Bihar CM as he offered prayers in the sanctum sanctorum, along with other leaders.
The BJP demanded an apology from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for hurting religious sentiments as the temple does not allow non-Hindus inside, according to a report by India Today.
The temple rules, set for the last 100 years, proclaim with a sign at the entrance that entry of non-Hindus is prohibited.
Asking for an apology, Bihar BJP chief S Jaiswal said Nitish Kumar deliberately mocked Hindus because he knows that non-Hindus are not allowed inside the 'garbh griha'.
BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand hit out at Nitish Kumar for hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus.
The breach by a non-Hindu at the temple earned the wrath of the Vishnupad temple management too.
Shambhu Lal Bitthal, working president of the temple's committee, was angry at the incident. He said the temple authorities were not aware of the chief minister arriving with a non-Hindu.
Lal Bitthal added that Muslims and Christians have never entered the temple and those who made the mistake should apologise.
Another temple official, Mahesh Lal Gupta said advance notice should have been given about a non-Hindu being part of the visiting delegation.