Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jan 28: The dispute over the proposed removal the religious centre, Brahma Sannidhi, located at Brahmarakootlu in the taluk, which faces demolition for widening of the national highway 48, remained unresolved at yet another meeting held in the taluk office here on Thursday January 27. At the meeting, both Brahma Sannidhi Horata Samiti and its management committee members warned that the administration will be solely responsible for backlashes if any that may arise, if it takes a unilateral decision to demolish the structure on its own.

An opinion, however, emerged, to seek the opinion from three astrologers together. There were suggestions to seek a final solution for the problem by inviting three different astrologers on a single platform in front of the temple, and seek solution through divine query system of astrology.

Coastal Development Authority chairman, B Nagaraj Shetty, Brahma Sannidhi managing committee president, B Rajashekhar Rai, Tumbe gram panchayat vice-president, Divakar Pambadabettu, Mangalore assistant commissioner, Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, Bantwal Urban Development Authority chairman, A Govind Prabhu, tahsildar, Ravichdnara Nayak, and leaders of the Horata Samiti were present at the meeting.

Alternative ideas like raising the height of the road in order not to harm the structure, raising the level of the Sannidhi to that of the highway, and providing facilities to the structure like a cave temple, came up during the meeting. When contacted, highway authorities at Bangalore told the meeting that it would be advisable to offer prayers to the deity, seeking concurrence for shifting of the structure in the interests of lacs of people, and then shift the Sannidhi elsewhere. They said that in spite of various other alternatives proposed, it would not be possible to retain the structure, and that many such religious structures have been removed all over the state, for the widening of national highways.

The managing committee of the shrine and Horata Samiti office bearers were adamant that the structure should not be evicted at any cost. They said that the officials will be entirely responsible if they decide to remove it on their own. The meeting then came to a decision to seek solution from three astrologers together, during February.

Various officials from the PWD, National Highways Authroity of India, local leaders, apart from many others, were present at the meeting.