http://www.indianexpress.com/story/31466.html
Brahmin face in Maharashtra is grandson of Nashik temple priest who shut out Ambedkar Rakshit Sonawane Posted online: Monday, May 21, 2007 at 0000 hrs IST MUMBAI, MAY 20 Seventy-Seven years ago, his grandfather, Ramdasbuva Pujari, had stopped Dr B R Ambedkar and his followers from entering the Kalaram temple at Panchvati in Nashik. Today, Mahant Sudhirdas Pujari (41), the temple priest, is being considered Mayawati's Brahmin face in the region. Boosted by its poll victory in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP is hoping to replicate its "sarvajan" success in Maharashtra too. And who better than Pujari who's seen as a "reformist priest". "The time is ripe for trying the UP experiment in Maharashtra," says Pujari. "Several Brahmin Sanghs have extended their support to the cause. The BSP general secretary in UP, Satish Mishra, has given me the signal to go ahead too." Two years ago, Pujari had created a furore when he declared that his grandfather had made a "big mistake" by not allowing Ambedkar and his followers enter the temple. Speaking to The Indian Express then, he had said that if his grandfather had permitted entry to Dalits, Ambedkar may not have left the Hindu fold. He was referring to the incident on March 2, 1930, when about 15,000 Dalits marched towards the Kalaram temple for a darshan.But the then priest, Ramdasbuva Pujari, denied them entry and shut the temple's doors. Ambedkar then led a satyagraha which carried on for five years. In 2005, Pujari's statement invited the wrath of Brahmin hardliners, but he stood his ground. Today, he feels that the times have changed. "It took nearly two years for people to understand what I was saying when I said that my grandfather had committed a blunder, " he says. Pujari is the 27th in the line of a family of priests who have been performing rituals at the Kalaram temple. Built by the Peshwas over two centuries ago, the temple is known for its black idols of Ram, Laxman and Sita. "Mayawati's experiment will definitely succeed here. I see a change coming. Dalits are fed up with their leaders and Brahmins are in a mood to support a leader like her," says Pujari. "I have spoken to some religious leaders who are interested in replicating the UP experiment in Maharashtra," he adds. When contacted, Maharashtra BSP chief Vilas Garud said: "He (Pujari) is in touch with us, but ultimately the decision will be taken by Behenji."
