Rajasthan: Temple demolition in Alwar triggers controversy

ALWAR/JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government has come under attack from the opposition after a 300-year-old temple was demolished during an anti-encroachment drive in Alwar on April 17.

The video of the demolition going viral on social media triggered a slugfest between the ruling Congress party and the opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress has washed its hands off the demolition claiming that the Rajgarh municipality, where the incident took place is being ruled by the BJP and the action was based on a unanimous resolution by the municipality.

Meanwhile, the district administration said that the action to remove the encroachment was taken as per the master plan.

The Alwar collector in a clarification said the demolition of temples at Rajgarh in Alwar was part of an anti-encroachment drive taken up after a unanimous resolution passed by the Rajgarh municipality in Alwar district on September 8 last year.

He said all encroachers were given prior notice.

He clarified that one temple, a private one, was constructed illegally recently on the drain and a small part of another old temple was demolished as part of road construction.

He said the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is intact.

He said steps are being taken to relocate the idols.

BJP state president

Satish Poonia

, however, questioned how a 300-year-old temple can be an encroachment.

He had sent a fact-finding team to the spot which will give its report in three days.

Congress state president

Govind Singh

Dotasara, at a press conference, lashed out at the BJP accusing it of playing politics of religion.

"In 2018, the BJP Mandal President wrote a letter to the district collector recommending the removal of this encroachment. As there is a BJP board in Rajgarh being headed by

Satish Guharia

, the resolution to remove this encroachment was passed in their board meeting. Thereafter, encroachment was removed. Temples are not tampered with in the Congress government," he added.

Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.