A video is viral on social media, depicting State Minister of Food and Supplies, Satish Sharma, washing hands near Shivling at the historic Lodheshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki's Rampur. The video, dated August 27, has sparked a criticism on social media platforms.
In the video, Satish Sharma and Jitin Prasada can be seen with folded hands near the temple. Minister Satish Sharma then gestures and communicates with the priest, after which he assists in pouring water into a sacred vessel. Subsequently, Satish Sharma is seen washing washing hands near the Shivaling. This video has sparked intense criticism across social media platforms against the minister for disrespecting the Shivling.
The viral video is believed to have been recorded during Satish Sharma and Jitin Prasad's visit to distribute relief supplies to flood-affected individuals in the Hetmapur village of the Ramnagar tehsil. During this visit, inspections of embankments and flood relief efforts were conducted. Additionally, the ministers participated in a religious ceremony at the ancient temple during their visit.
Congress and Samajwadi Party took exception to the act and demanded resignation of the minister for "insulting the Sanatan dharma."
Minister Sharma countered the allegations saying he did nothing wrong, if he had, the priest would have stopped him.
The priest of the temple said that as the minister's had 'prasad' in his hand, he helped him wash them in the 'argha' of the shivling and there is nothing wrong in this.
Opponents slam BJP for minister's act
After the video went viral on social media, opposition party leaders took potshots at the BJP and Minister Sharma over his act.
UP Congress President Ajay Rai said, "The minister should know what he is doing. Will we wash our hands when we offer water and pay our respects? The minister has insulted Sanatan Dharma."
Congress leader Surendra Rajput also slammed the act.
"Has this BJP minister Satish Sharma lost his mind who is washing his hands in the arghe of Baba Bhole Nath's Shivling. He is a sinner, unrighteous, this is a clear insult to Bholenath of Sanatan Dharma! Will the BJP sack him from the cabinet Respected @myogiadityanath ji?" Rajput wrote.
RLD's Prashant Kanojia also slammed the minister's action. "In the Adityanath government, Minister of State and Brahmin leader Satish Sharma washed his hands on the Shivling. If he is in BJP then everything is justified. Tomorrow they will spit and declare that also a practice. The one who uses Lord Shankar as a wash basin has become a minister?" Kanojiaa asked.
Samajwadi Party's Sunil Singh Yadav wrote, "The unrighteous Satish Sharma who washes his hands on Lodheshwar Shivling is the Minister of State in the government and along with him self-proclaimed imported faces of Brahmins are also standing. Had the leader of any other caste done the same thing, the hypocrites of the BJP would have got him expelled by now. By the way, why is Baba silent?"
Minister, priest clarify after controversy
Satish Sharma told PTI that the opposition was unnecessarily blowing up the matter.
"I am a Sanatani Shiv bhakt. I know very well what is right and what is wrong. The opposition is unnecessarily blowing up the issue," he said.
"I did what I felt was right. It was not my intention to hurt anyone. If I was wrong, the priest would not have washed my hands." Sharma related the entire sequence of events saying the act came in between the pooja ritual.
"Nine days ago, I had gone to the Lodheshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki for worship . I had sandalwood and honey on my hand, over which Acharyaji made me wash my hands under the feet of Lord Shiva.
"Even in my dreams, I cannot think about disrespecting 'sanatani' faith. If my act has hurt someone, then I am sorry for it," the minister said.
Aditya Tiwari, the priest of Lodheshwar Mahadev Temple, said that the minister had done nothing wrong.
"Minister Sharma had sandalwood etc on his hands after performing the puja. When he asked to wash his hands, they were washed next to shivling. This was done because it was in the form of prasad. There is nothing wrong in this," Tiwari told PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
