Jharkhand BJP MLA wields 'damru' at Assembly to demand reopening of Baba Baidyanath Dham

In a recent development, a BJP leer from Deoghar on Tuesday disrupted House proceedings at Jharkhand State Assembly as he barged into premises demanding reopening of Baba Baidyanath Dham temple in his constituency. BJP MLA Narayan Das me a sudden appearance at State Assembly, holding a 'damru' along with fellow legislators who were chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and 'Hanuman Chalisa'. Narayan Das is MLA from Deoghar constituency where temple is located.

As soon as House assembled for day, BJP members began ir protest over decision to allot a namaz room and state's employment policy even as Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto repeatedly urged m to allow conduct of business. Unrelenting, members continued to chant slogans during Question Hour, leing to an journment till 12.30 pm.

"No disrespect would be tolerated to chair. If you are angry, beat me but don't disrupt proceedings," speaker told protesting MLAs. "Please go back to your seats....I am pained. Chair is not a subject for mockery. Yesterday, you behaved bly...This is question of faith of 3.5 crore people and your conduct gives pain," he ded.

It is to be noted that a huge controversy erupted on Saturday following allotment of a namaz room in Jharkhand Assembly. Following this, BJP MLAs protested againt Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato after government's order towards allotment of a room in Assembly House for purpose of offering ‘namaz’, in Ranchi on Monday.

Now, in latest development, Supreme Court on Tuesday strictly refused to act on request for hearing of an urgent petition for  opening of Baba Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand for public. A few hours later, BJP MLA Narayan Das entered Jharkhand Assembly premises with a 'belpatra' garland of flowers around his shoulder while chanting 'Har Har Mahev' as he was accompanied by a group of people. 

In an earlier update, a notification dated September 2 re, "Allotment of room number TW 348 as Namaz Hall for offering Namaz in new Assembly Building." This notification document was signed by Jharkhand legislative assembly deputy secretary Naveen Kumar by order of speaker, which came to public domain on September 4. While Congress and ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha welcomed move, BJP h strongly opposed it calling it unconstitutional and saying that temple of democracy should remain temple of democracy.

Amid chaos at State Assembly on Tuesday, Deoghar MLA stated that he is warning government to immediately open temple failing which 'continuous protests' would ensue. As quoted by ANI, Das said, ''Baba Baidyanath Dham is not only a centre of faith for Deoghar, but country. temple also provides employment. I've come to warn govt again to immediately open temple, or else continuous protests will take place in Deoghar after session."

What happened at Supreme Court?

Evaluating petition that came in, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said, "People are suffering from COVID and you want temple to open?" vocate Prashant Kumar responded to this saying that COVID numbers in Jharkhand were very low. CJI Ramana in his reply said, ''re is no COVID? Do you know that? Why should we give priority to this?"