In an effort to cleanse the Jaipur Municipal Corporation Heritage (JMCH) office of “corruption” and transform defecting Congress councillors into “Sanatanis,” BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya performed a purification ritual on Wednesday. He sprinkled a mixture of Gangajal (holy water) and gomutra (cow urine) on the councillors and the premises.

During the ceremony, the councillors and officials symbolically consumed the mixture as it was sprinkled on their faces, including their lips. This event followed the BJP’s decision to replace the sitting JMCH Mayor Munesh Gurjar, who faced corruption allegations, with Kusum Yadav. Yadav was supported by seven Congress defectors and one independent councillor, who joined the BJP just before the ceremony.

Acharya, a first-time legislator and the mahant of the Hathoj Dham temple, stated, “We have purified it with Gangajal and removed all impurities. After prayers with Vedic mantras, the new Mayor has assumed charge on this auspicious date. Now, there will be an environment of purity in the municipal corporation.” The Mayor took charge while reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and chanting Jai Shri Ram.

Regarding the Congress councillors’ switch to supporting the BJP, Acharya remarked, “They have been given Gangajal and gomutra. The Vedic mantras have been chanted into their ears, and now they are wholly Sanatanis. As Sanatanis, they are with us to beautify this city.” He emphasized that municipal officials also underwent the purification process, claiming, “They were previously impure and compelled to engage in corruption. Now they are free of that.”

When asked if the JMCH officials received Gangajal and gomutra, Acharya confirmed, “Gangajal and gomutra have been administered to everyone before the Mayor assumes charge. In our culture, this practice is meant to absolve past wrongdoings. Now you are Sanatani, work with purity.”

Acharya further explained, “I sprinkled Gangajal and gomutra in the JMC office because of corruption. From today, JMCH is corruption-free.” He also mentioned that he carries a bottle of the mixture with him daily.

Councillor Manoj Mudgal described the ritual, saying, “He sprinkled Gangajal to rid the corporation of corruption and negativity. It’s common in Hindu rituals to sprinkle Gangajal and gomutra during havans for cleanliness and sanctity.” Another councillor, Jyoti Chauhan, echoed this sentiment, noting Acharya’s intent to cleanse the corporation.

Congress councillor Uttam Sharma, however, expressed concern about the implications of the ritual, stating, “His intention was not to make us drink Gangajal. The councillors are not corrupt; the entire corporation was corrupt.”