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Written By murali772 - 24 September, 2008

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10-yr old Sri Shirdi Sai Baba temple near Magadi Road is facing a threat of demolition by the BBMP. While the civic agency is backing the decision, saying the temple violates provisions of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, temple authorities allege that their neighbour - wife of a high court judge - influenced the move.

Trustees and devotees met law minister S Suresh Kumar on Monday. The demolition has been put on hold. However, they want more than a temporary respite and are pushing for a permanent end to the demolition threat.  

For the full story, click on
epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp

The question is why does it require a High Court judge's wife's complaint for the BBMP authorities to enforce laws. Not just this, there are so many such shrines of all religious denominations sprouting everyday all across the city, in total violation of all rules.

Even in the case of the licensed ones, the BBMP should ensure that they conform to the setback rules, rather than allowing them to blatantly encroach on to the footpaths in total disregard to the inconvenience caused to pedestrians. Also, where existing shrines prove a major traffic hurdle, the BBMP should take initiative to ceremoniously re-locate them to some vacant site nearby.

The law minister would do well to keep out of the matter, and allow the BBMP authorities to enforce the law strictly so that the right message goes across to all such enterprises.

If any one can do anything about this fast spreading menace, it is the BJP government. The Chief Minister should in fact use this opportunity to convey to the public at large that this government is impartial in such matters, particularly when its credibility in the matter of protecting the interests of the minorities in the state is being questioned.

For related stories, click on
praja.in/bangalore/blog/murali772/2008/06/28/shrine-entrepreneurship

Muralidhar Rao

COMMENTS

Offending Temple

ssheragu - 24 September, 2008 - 14:08

ssheragu I fully agree with mcadambi 1. our Hindu philosophy first tells us to respect the law of the land; in that sense any temple or shrine on pavements creating problems to the public should not be allowed; those who patronise such temples will never be blessed by Gods. 2. of course I am not at all aware of the facts regarding the Sai Baba temple on Magadi Road 3. my comments apply to temples / places of worship which come in the way of public life Srinath Heragu

gods immuned?

blrsri - 25 September, 2008 - 00:21

Any place of worship, either at home or public, are generally clean all the time..we all use incense sticks to purify the air around and keep it silent! It beats me all the time on the other hand, as to why we go about subjecting our gods to all the ills from over populations by putting them in the midst of roads! Air pollution, dust pollution, noise pollution..everything! For gods sake we need to relocate them!

Illegal temples are a violation of Agama sastras as well

mcadambi - 24 September, 2008 - 13:07

Hindu temple architecture and even Jain and Buddhist ones are covered by a body of scriptures called "agama sastra". These agama sastra-s insist that the law of the land is most supreme and that any temple has to obey such laws. If you notice ancient temples like Srirangapatna, Someshwara temple in Ulsoor, the inner "prakara" or 'set back' in our terms is very wide. This was done to let a lot of people move and ceilings were raised very high so as to let the air circulate and natural lighting was made use of. Hindu temples are a marvel or architecture. Their symmetry is amazing as even incorporate a lot of rain water harvesting techniques. Illegal shrines are a blot on dharma.

Same goes with Mosques !

kbsyed61 - 24 September, 2008 - 14:26

The same rule applies to Mosques also. Mosques are required to be built on foundations of PIETY (Fearing GOD) and its care taker also required to hold the highest traditions of the piety and sincerity. PIETY, covers all aspects of rules and regulations i.e adhering to legal means, laws, stop to all transgression on others rights specially the neighbors etc.

Religion Vs Law

narayan82 - 24 September, 2008 - 16:08

Some people and parties tend to belive that Religion comes above the law. As I understand - Nobody - comes above the law! It is a dissapointing when people use religion for thier vested interests, and then visit the temple for good luck!

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