Rampur (Himachal Pradesh): A day after a Muslim couple got married according to the Islamic rituals in a Hindu temple at Rampur in Shimla, the Hindu Jagran Manch (H.J.M) – a radical Hindu organisation, strongly objected to such practises and demanded purification of the temple and a public apology. The incident that was intended to spread the message of communal harmony is slowly snow-balling into a religious controversy.
Warning to march thousands of Manch workers to Rampur, State General Secretary of Hindu Jagran Manch, Kamal Gautam said, "solemnizing a marriage according to Islamic traditions in the Satyanarayan temple was wrong. The temple premises must be purified. And if the Satyanarayan Temple Trust fails to do so, the Manch workers will march to Rampur on March 12 and do the needful. The temple trust has violated the sanctity of the temple." The H.J.M. has also launched an online campaign under the banner 'Sari problem ka hal, ek lota Gangajal', Gautam added.
Refuting the allegation that the temple has become impure after the wedding, Vinay Sharma, General Secretary of the temple trust and Sah Sewa Pramukh in RSS said, "There are more than ten rooms and one community hall in the temple premises which can be used by anyone for functions by paying the fixed rent. Pure vegetarian, 'Satvik' food was served to the guests in this Islamic wedding."
