Patna: Rural Development Minister Nitish Mishra and Janata Dal (United) leader Vinod Kumar Singh have denied charges levelled by Chief Minister Jeetan Ram Manjhi that a temple in Madhubani and its deity were ‘washed after his visit' during the recently concluded assembly by-poll.
According to Mishra and Singh, who had accompanied Manjhi to the temple at Brahmin-dominated Tharhi village under Rajnagar Assembly segment on August 18, Manjhi was ‘misinformed' about the incident.
Mines and Geology Minister Ram Lashan Ram Raman had told the Chief Minister about the incident which, in reality, never took place, they said.
It should be noted that Manjhi had on Sunday said he himself had been a victim of bias against 'mahadalits'. He had claimed that a temple in Madhubani district was washed and purified soon after his visit a couple of months back.
Raman, Mishra said, had not accompanied the Chief Minister and the temple is open to all.
Mishra further said that, as per the rituals, the temple is washed twice -- 4 am and 4 pm -- everyday.
