Even as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra kicked off the Lok Sabha election campaign with her three-day visit to eastern Uttar Pradesh, a group of lawyers on Monday demanded that the Congress leader be barred from entering the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi as she is a “Christian”.

The lawyers have written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath saying the Congress general secretary should be stopped from entering the temple, keeping in mind the “ancient values of Sanatan Dharma”.

Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the few famous temples in India which bar entry of non-Hindus. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

Priyanka on Monday began her 'Ganga Yatra' on boat with a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged voters to bring in a government that works for them. She will cover a distance of 100 km by boat in Ganga from Allahabad to Varanasi, the constituency of Modi.

In Varanasi, the Congress leader is likely to offer 'puja' at Kashi Vishwanath temple, Kal Bhairav, Sankat Mochan temple, Sheetla Mata temple and Shholantkeshwar temple.

Priyanka started her river journey with a visit to the Sangam and performing puja along with party leaders at the Bade Hanuman Mandir near Prayagraj Sangam.

According to Wikipedia, Priyanka had converted to Buddhism and follows Buddhist philosophy.

(This story first appeared in The Week)

