Rajasthan: BJP MLA 'purifies' Congress turncoat councilors with gangajal, gomutra
What's the story
To rid the Jaipur Municipal Corporation Heritage (JMCH) office of corruption, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Balmukund Acharya from Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, sprinkled a mixture of Gangajal and gomutra (cow urine) on the office premises and Congress councilors.
The act was intended to cleanse the office from "stains" of corruption and symbolically convert these councilors into "sanatanis" before they could lend support to the BJP.
New beginnings
'Purification' ritual precedes new mayor's assumption of office
The ritual took place before Kusum Yadav, the BJP's chosen candidate, assumed her role as the new JMCH Mayor on Wednesday.
Yadav was appointed after her predecessor, Munesh Gurjar, was removed by the BJP over corruption allegations.
Her appointment was made possible with support from seven Congress defectors, who joined the BJP on Tuesday, and one independent member.
Ritual significance
Acharya's comments on the 'purification' ritual
Acharya, a first-time legislator and local mahant of the popular Hathoj Dham temple, explained his actions.
"We have purified it with Gangajal and removed all impurities. And after prayers with Vedic mantras, behenji (the new Mayor) has assumed charge on this navami date," he said.
He added that even officials of the municipal corporation have been "purified" and are now free from corruption.
Symbolic consumption
Councilors and officials 'drink' Gangajal, gomutra mix
The "purification" ritual also involved the symbolic consumption of the Gangajal and gomutra mixture by councilors and officials.
Acharya stated that this was done to ensure any past crimes were forgiven and to encourage them to work with purity.
"Gangajal gomutra aaj sabko pilaya hai tabhi toh pravesh kiya hai (Gangajal and gomutra has been fed to everyone before (the Mayor) assumes charge)," he said.