Press meet by HJS to protest against the demolition of Hindu temples declared as ‘unauthorized’

Udupi (Karnataka) : A press meet was held this day at Shri Veerabhadra Temple Hall in Kinnimulki, Udupi. Despite there being a provision to give ‘authorized’ status to Religious centers that have presently been listed as being unauthorized, the government is going ahead with demolishing act. Mr. Mohan Gouda – Karnataka spokesperson for Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, members of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti – Mr. Vijaykumar and Mr. GopalakRishna Malya of Udupi, Mr. Mohandas, president, Vithoba Hanuma Bhajanaa Mandir of Malpe addressed the press.

From left : Mr. Gopal Krishna Mallya, Mr. Mohan Gowda, Mr. Mohandas , Mr. Vijay Kumar

Media and Press Reporters

Mr. Mohan Gouda expressed that. “The Supreme court is yet to deliver the final judgment with regard to freeing up the space occupied by religious centers that have been listed as being unauthorized. The present judgment is merely an interim order. Despite his being so, the Karnataka government has reassured the honorable supreme court that it will ensure the freeing up of spaces occupied by temples having ‘unauthorized’ status before 31st Dec 2010. The honorable Supreme Court has given the options that the religious centers so identified could be demolished, could be transferred to another venue or could be given ‘authorized’ status. However, the Karnataka government is exercising the option of demolition alone and is on a demolition spree. The number of temples demolished till date are 43 in Bijapur, 34 in Bagalakot, 50 in Chikkaballapur.  Many of these temples have a history dating back to hundreds of years. Additionally there was no hindrance to these being given ‘authorized’ status as per the Supreme Court order.  Hence we urge the Karnataka government  to conduct a ‘case to case study’ of each of these religious centers and decide only after the identifying the nature and severity of  the inconvenience caused to the public by the existence of these centers at their present respective places before going on a indiscriminate demolition spree.’’

He added further that a meeting of the trustees of Religious centres has been organized at Shrirama Bhajana Mandir at Barkur on the 25th Dec 2010 at 7 pm. It will be followed by the meeting with the District Commissioner to discuss the same issue.

Representatives of 12 newspapers/TV channels were present at the meet.     

Source: Press Release