Video: Ex-BJP MLA slaps man accused of religious conversion in Rajasthan

Former BJP MLA from Rajasthan’s Ramgarh constituency, Gyan Dev Ahuja, has sparked a major controversy after a viral video showed him allegedly assaulting a man on court premises. The man, identified as Rajkumar, is accused of being involved in conversion-related activities and was brought into a local court when the former MLA attacked him.

Rajkumar, originally hailing from Delhi, had been arrested by the Rajasthan Police a few days prior for his alleged involvement in religious conversion activities in Alwar's Tanwar Colony. On June 5 (Friday), when he was brought into court, Ahuja approached him from behind and slapped him. He was also heard abusing the man further.

“Despite being a Hindu, you have become a pastor?” the former MLA was heard saying.

The actions prompted the intervention of the police shortly, as personnel were seen neutralising Ahuja.

Speaking about the incident, Ahuja said, “A Hindu-turned-pastor came to Alwar and was found being involved in religious conversion-related activities in the Tanwar colony. The police arrested him, and hence, I came here to request a police remand for the man.”

Adding further, he said, “He is taking money from religious groups and running a racket in Rajasthan. We need to find who is giving shelter to the man. Is it the church or some resident? If he is residing at someone’s residence, then we need to evict them from the property. The Hindu outfits will take care of it.”

This is not the first time Ahuja has embroiled himself in a controversy. A year ago, he sprinkled Ganga water at a Ram temple in Alwar to "purify" it after Congress leader Tikaram Jully attended a consecration ceremony there. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot had termed Ahuja's act an "insult" to a Dalit.

As a result, the BJP launched a probe into his action and later expelled him.

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With inputs from Himanshu Sharma