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No shrines on public sites, HC tells govt
Written By murali772 - 7 March, 2009
Bangalore Infrastructure Religion Media Reports traffic management amenities
The high court on Friday said no church, temple or masjid should exist in public sites and asked the state government to come out with a uniform stand within two weeks. It asked the government what action it proposes to take about places of worship encroaching upon civic amenity sites and other public properties.
"No church, temple or masjid in public sites, this is the stand of judiciary. It seems you are afraid to take any decision. There should be no sentimentalities in this issue," the division Bench headed by the chief justice remarked while hearing a PIL connected to encroachment of Lakshmana Rau Park in Okalipuram area.
For the full story, click on:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Bangalore/No-shrines-on-public-sites-HC-tells-govt/articleshow/4237411.cms
If any one can do anything about this menace, it is the BJP government. The Chief Minister needs to show statesmanship here, make the statement that he will not allow religion to be misused in this fashion, and have all the temples removed/ shifted, where required say over one grand city-wide "Satyanarayana Pooja". Once he sets an example with the temples, it will not be difficult to convince the other religious leaders to follow suit.
For more on that, click on: http://praja.in/bangalore/blog/murali772/2008/06/28/shrine-entrepreneurship
Muralidhar Rao
COMMENTS
idontspam - 7 March, 2009 - 19:48
This is a very important issue. All temples need to be approved like any other structure and built on proper sites. I agree wholeheartedly that we pay disrespect by building on roadsides. I read sometime back on what is essential for a place to be called a place of worship. (I will try to find something similar online, but a discussion on that we have to take to somebody elses blog).
Now there are 2 ways this could go. The current govt could turn a blind eye to this thinking it will hurt sentiments and they shouldnt be the one doing this or they could use it as an opportunity to bring some respect and order to our god and godesses by relocating them to proper temples.
Murali avare you are so right who else but BJP can/should be doing this.
re: Lets List encroachments known to us.
blrpraj - 7 March, 2009 - 20:41
Naveen - 8 March, 2009 - 07:03
Blrpraj,
You are so correct !
Most of the shrines are in violation, barring a few. Visibly, though it might not seem so as we observe only the ones that are obvious whilst we move about the city.
Won't invoke devotion, but cause nusiance to public..
bcsagar - 8 March, 2009 - 10:21
It may be true that most worship centers violate building laws.
But there are many which come up on roadside and cause immense problem to public.
These are the once I am trying to list and submit to court for action.
They block free movement of traffic and pedestrians. On special events whole road is occupied and traffic diverted.
As it is road & footpaths are narrow and these structures in middle which are "above laws of mortals" are a nuisance.
It is a case of shrine entrenepeurship to make money as pointed out by Mr. Muralidhar. There are numerous instance like the Sai baba temple episode in Magadi Road where miracles happened to prevent demolition !!
Long back a kannada movie called "Udbhava" by Anantnag had highlighted how a temple came up overnight to prevent widening of road.
Old temples on roadside may be relocated by civic authorities and new ones (< 10 years) be pulled down without any consideration.
I am sure gods would be happy to be out of such polluted environment !!
Lets List encroachments known to us.
bcsagar - 7 March, 2009 - 19:34
This is the worst form of respect given to any gods, by building worship centers illegally on Roads, foothpaths, parks, etc.
It is right for the court to take a rational view and press for uniform law without leaving it to superstitious and insecure politicians.
To be on right side of law, I fear no wrath of gods and want to start listing encroachments known to me.
If everybody joins, we can compile a list and submit it to the court for further action.
1. RV Road / Teachers college junction
2. Kanakapura Road / Ring road junction
3. TCM Royan Road , Cotton pet road
4. NR Road under flyover
5. Palace Road, (widening with temple as island !!)
6. Movieland / Kapali theatre road.
7. yediyur lake road.
8. Thyagaraja Nagar road. (many)
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