Mysuru: Demolition of religious structures suspended, for now

MYSURU: Following a public outcry and criticism from political leaders, including former chief minister Siddaramaiah and ruling party MP Pratap Simha, the Mysuru district administration has temporarily suspended the demolition of religious structures constructed in public places illegally.
Sources said the authorities have directed staff to “go slow on the issue” and not to discuss it publicly.The development comes on a day when Simha said chief minister Basavaraj Bommai had assured him the temple demolition drive would be suspended across the state.
Simha added there’s an urgent need for coding of all temples to save them from such demolition drives in future. “The CM has promised an order will be issued in this regard besides reviewing temples identified for demolition across the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, members of Karnataka Senapade held a protest in front of 101 Ganapathi Temple in the city against the demolition drive.
Villagers to hold protest
Uchchagani villagers have decided to hold a protest in Mysuru on September 16 against demolition of Mahadevamma temple. Simha said he has urged the CM to initiate action against Nanjangud taluk administration for demolishing it. “I am not against razing of any structure for development work like highways. But structures which are old and sacred should be protected,” he said.