BJP Workers spray gomutra in temple after a Muslim MLA’s darshan

Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday carried out a so-called “purification” ritual by spraying cow urine at a Shiva temple in Sillod , Maharashtra, after Abdul Sattar , a Muslim MLA from the Shiv Sena and former state minister, visited the shrine for darshan.

Sattar had visited the Shiva temple in Rahimabad village, located in his Sillod assembly constituency , on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday. A video of his temple visit subsequently went viral on social media, triggering protests from BJP workers and some other outfits.

Following the backlash, BJP workers were seen spraying cow urine inside the temple premises, claiming it was necessary to “purify” the shrine after Sattar’s visit. Videos of the ritual were widely circulated on social media platforms, sparking sharp reactions.

Sillod BJP unit president Manoj Morellu defended the act, alleging that Sattar consumes beef and had violated the sanctity of the temple by entering it. “That is why we sprayed gomutra to purify the temple . He deceives both Muslims and Hindus. He recently went for Haj and now visits a temple,” Morellu told reporters.

The incident also drew criticism from opposition leaders and civil society voices, who termed the act divisive and unnecessary. Leaders from the Indian National Congress and other parties said temples are places of faith open to all devotees and questioned the need to “purify” a shrine after the visit of an elected representative. Some leaders argued that Lord Shiva is worshipped across communities and warned that such actions promote communal polarisation. Social media users and activists also criticised the move, calling it discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of religious harmony and constitutional values.

Abdul Sattar has not issued any public response to the controversy so far.