Karnataka: HJS’ Protest march & Memorandum submission against Temples’ demolition

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti organizes protest march and submits memorandum to government officials at Kollegal to oppose the Karnataka government demolishing Hindu temples by declaring them as unauthorized.

Kollegal (Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka) : Karnataka government has been demolishing Hindu temples in the state after labeling them as unauthorized. A protest march was held at Kollegal under the leadership of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti to oppose this. 600 devotees from the town as well as surrounding villages participated in the protest march. The march began from the Gramadevata Maalige Maariyamma temple premises after the ceremonial worship of the Dharmadhvaj by the priest of the temple. When the protestors reached the rural bus stand they were joined by devotees who had arrived from the surrounding villages.

When the protestors reached the Municipality office the presiding officer was absent. The protestors sat down in front of his office. He arrived within a few minutes. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti members explained to him the reason for the protest. They also presented a memorandum to him on behalf of all the devotees.

The protestors then proceeded to the tehasiladaar’s office. Since the tehasiladaar was out of town they spoke to and presented a memorandum to the shirastedaar. The shirastedaar listened to the protest sincerely and attentively. He said, “I agree it is absolutely wrong to fell temples like this. Moreover, as you have said if the demolition orders do not have a mention of the Supreme Court or DC it is all the more wrong.” The samiti members explained how, many temples have been issued notices stating that the space occupied by the temple has to be freed up and handed over to the government within 3 days; failing which the municipal authorities would demolish the temple and the temple authorities would have to pay for the expenses incurred; This has caused extreme distress and agony to devotees. They insisted on knowing what action would be taken in this regard since just accepting that what has happened is wrong is not enough. The shirastedaar replied, “I will present the case in detail before the special committee that has been formed to deal with this issue at the district level”.  “Do not entertain the fear that getting a demolition notice means that the temple would definitely be demolished. Wherever possible we will surely give priority to get the temple ‘authorized’ status” he assured the protestors. A copy of the memorandum will be handed over to the DC shortly.

Source: Our Correspondent