VHP leader Girish Bharadwaj writes to SP, demands criminal case on DC, Tahsildar for temple raze
Mysuru: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Girish Bharadwaj on Thursday filed a complaint to the Superintendent of Mysuru Police against the Deputy Commissioner of the district and Tahsildar of Nanjangudu for dereliction of duty during the demolition of Mahadevamma temple on September 8.
In a letter written to the Chief of District Police, Girish has stated that the Deputy Commissioner and the Tahsildar incorrectly read the Supreme Court order and it led to the demolition of the Mahadevamma temple at Uchagani of Nanjangudu Taluk on September 8.
He has requested the SP to register a criminal case against both the DC and Tahsildar.
“Mahadevamma Temple which was razed by the authorities had a history of over 500 years. The idol of the deity was consecrated as per Hindu rituals (Prana Pratishtapana) and puja was offered daily to the idol. It is a matter of great concern that the Tahsildar gave scant regard to sentiments of localities and got it demolished in the wee hours of the morning, surreptitiously to avoid any backlash or opposition from the devotees and localites” the letter written to the SP stated.
The letter further mentioned and quoted the Supreme Court order adding the demolition had violated it. “Supreme Court order regarding the illegal religious structure is very clear: If religious structures are already on public places and constructed before 29 September 2009, the government has to frame policy and decide case to case about removal/relocation/regularization of such structure” it quoted the SC order.
“In 2011, the then Tahsildar of Nanjangudu had recommended regularizing Mahadevamma and Kalabhairaveshwara Temple at Uchagani quoting that the temple was 200 years old. The Deputy Commissioner, Mysuru ignoring the report has directed Tahsildar to demolish Mahadevamma Temple following the Chief Secretary’s circular” the letter added.
The letter went on to add that the temple was 40 ft away from the road and did not cause any obstruction to developmental activities and stated the Tahsildar could have held meetings with devotees and locals to take a decision. It added the move was a “gross negligence” by the Tahsildar for which strict legal action should be initiated against him.
“The Tahsildar has no right to raze religious structures of Hindus on the grounds of encroachment clearance” the letter added.
“The Tahsildar, Nanjangudu has conspired to demolish Mahadevamma Temple, without even shifting the Murtis which was consecrated with Prana Prathishta, Tahsildar has intentionally demolished the temple with Brahma Kalasha and Vigrahas” the VHP leader stated adding that the move had hurt his religious sentiments guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
He has urged the SP to book the DC, Tahsildar, and everyone who supervised the demolition of the temple for hurting the religious sentiments and dereliction of duty.
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