UP temple ‘purified’ after MLA’s visit; Saiyada Khatoon says she won’t stop going to temples due to controversies

Khatoon told The Indian Express on Tuesday that she won’t stop going to temples because of controversies created by “misguided” people. “I had worked for several temples and visited those places. Some people are unnecessarily creating controversy regarding my visit to get personal attention,” the Muslim legislator added.

Hindu outfit members alleged that as the MLA belongs to a different religion, her visit disturbed the sanctity of the place. On knowing about the ‘incident’, a section of people led by Dharmaraj Verma, chairman of Barhni Chafa Nagar panchayat, sprinkled Ganga water inside the temple.

Verma said MLA Khatoon “disrespected” our temple and she should avoid visiting the place being non-vegetarian”.

Following the controversy, the police have made security arrangements at Balwa village. However, they are yet to register a case in the matter so far.

“I was invited by the local residents. There, I was welcomed by the residents and also by ‘Katha Vachak’ priests who were invited from other districts. After the Yagya, I went to the temple located nearby,” said the first-time MLA adding that the temple had no boundary wall.

Siddharth Nagar’s BJP district president Kanhiya Paswan confirmed that Verma is an old party worker.

Siddharth Nagar Circle Officer Sujit Kumar Rai said that no one has filed any complaint in the matter.