Karnataka CM halts temple demolition drive facing wrath from party members

Chief Minister Bavaraj Bommai ordered demolition of unauthorised temples in view of the 2009 orders of the Supreme Court. Based on this, Chief Secretary P. Ravi Kumar had written to all the district deputy commissioners in the state to demolish around 6,000 temples

Bengaluru:Under fire from his own party members and also from the Congress over the demolition of a temple at Nanjanagudu in Mysuru, Karnataka Chief Minister Bavaraj Bommai on Tuesday issued an order halting the demolition drive.

"There should be no emergency or hurried action to demolish temples anywhere in the state," Bommai said. His direction comes after his own party members slammed the state government for the demolition of an “illegally constructed” temple in Nanjanagudu. Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, too, was among the BJP leaders who criticised the state government for the act.

"I condemn the demolition of an ancient Hindu temple by @BJP4Karnataka govt in Nanjanagudu, Mysuru. The demolition is done without the consultation of the people in the region & has hurt the religious sentiments,” Karnataka’s former chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah tweeted.

“Concerned officials have not followed due process. An alternate site should have been provided if the demolition was deemed necessary. @BJP4Karnataka govt is responsible for this act against Hindu sentiments. An alternate arrangements should be made immediately to restore (sic),” he wrote.

The Bommai administration had ordered the demolition of unauthorised temples in view of the 2009 orders of the Supreme Court that sought demolition/relocation and/or regulation of such temples. Based on this, Chief Secretary P. Ravi Kumar had written to all the district deputy commissioners in the state to demolish around 6,000 temples.

Bommai said the government will comprehensively study the Supreme Court order and issue specific directions to the officials concerned on razing the unauthorised structures. He said the issue will soon be discussed in the cabinet and a clear decision will be arrived at. “Since the legislature session is underway, the details will be provided in the House,” he said.

The chief minister said a show-cause notice has been issued to Mysuru DC and the local tehsildar for demolishing the temple at Nanjanagudu.