Telangana CM regrets damage to temple, mosque at secretariat premises during demolition

In an official release, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed regret over the damage caused to places of worship at the secretariat premises here during the demolition of old buildings. He also assured people that a new temple and mosque would be built on a spacious area.

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday expressed regret over the damage caused to places of worship at the secretariat premises here during the demolition of old buildings and assured that a new temple and mosque would be built on a spacious area.

Rao said he came to know that the religious places suffered some damage after debris fell on them when multi-storied buildings abutting them were being brought down.

"I feel sorry about the incident. It should not have happened. The government's intention is to build a new complex by demolishing the old buildings without causing any damage to the temple or the mosque," an official release quoted him as saying.

The Chief Minister said a new temple and mosque would be built over a more spacious area even if it meant spending crores of rupees.

He said that he would soon hold a meeting with the management of the temple and mosque, and take their views.

He promised that the places of worship would also be built along with the new Secretariat complex.

"Telangana state is a secular state. We will continue the secular spirit come what may. This incident happened unexpectedly. Everyone should understand this properly without prejudice," he said.

The CM's statement comes a day after senior Congress leader in Telangana Mohammed Ali Shabbir had alleged that the places of worship in the Secretariat complex were demolished along with the old buildings that are being razed.

The state government began the demolition of the old secretariat complex on July 7 to pave the way for construction of a new building.

The move came days after the Telangana High Court dismissed a bunch of PILs challenging the state's decision to construct a new secretariat complex here.

(PTI REPORT)