Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 27: After a temple was demolished reportedly as per the order of the chief secretary, public anger had flared up. The government had thereafter stayed all temple demolition proposals.

Pejawar Swamiji Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha, stated that his Math has donated one lac rupees for the reconstruction of Huchchagani Mahadevamma temple, Nanjangud, which was razed to the ground. He expressed the desire that the temple should be built again. He wanted to know why discrimination is happening in a democratic country, duly expressing the opinion that Hindus are being exploited. He said that the government is hesitating to act against prayer centers that have come up by encroaching the footpaths.

The Swamiji said that a discerning eye can clearly see that Hindus are being oppressed and fraudulent and deceptive plans against them are clearly visible. He wanted proper laws to be enacted. He said that the temple land belongs to the presiding deity.

"The temple was demolished in an act of mischief. There should be laws to protect temples. Hindus are peace loving people. If such incidents had happened relating to the prayer centers of other faiths, the world would have been aflame by now. But Hindus do not indulge in such things. But people should not be under the mistaken notion that this defines the weakness of Hindus. This incident shows to us what happens if society goes to sleep. We should be alert. We believe the temple land is ours. The temple lands should be identified and Khata should be issued," he demanded.

He said the roads which are located near the temples which are thousands of years old, should be taken away from them. "Tomorrow one might remove the ancient Lord Nanjundeshwara temple just because it is near the road. If a stupid official is posted, he might actually take this step," the Swamiji angrily said.