This story is from September 18, 2021

Mysuru MP Pratap Simha questions Sidddaramaiah’s newfound love for Hindus

Responding to former CM Siddaramaiah’s remarks condemning the BJP government for the demolition drive against temples, Mysuru MP Pratap Simha on Friday questioned the Congress leader’s new-found love for Hindus. “Where was this same spirit for Hindus when he sanctioned Tipu Jayanti celebrations. Tipu Sultan was a Muslim ruler who was opposed to Hindus, and destroyed temples,” Simha said.
Mysuru MP Pratap Simha questions Sidddaramaiah’s newfound love for Hindus
Activists stage a protest in Mysuru against the demolition of temple on Thursday
MYSURU: Responding to former CM Siddaramaiah’s remarks condemning the BJP government for the demolition drive against temples, Mysuru MP Pratap Simha on Friday questioned the Congress leader’s new-found love for Hindus.
“Where was this same spirit for Hindus when he sanctioned Tipu Jayanti celebrations. Tipu Sultan was a Muslim ruler who was opposed to Hindus, and destroyed temples,” Simha said.
Simha also criticised Siddaramaiah for trying to divide the Hindu community by supporting the campaign seeking religious status for the Lingayat community.

“During his tenure as CM, Siddaramaiah made little effort to prevent the demolition of temples. On February 6, 2018, the Supreme Court, issuing its final order, issued clear directions to all state governments on vacating temples in public places and roads. The court had directed the government to submit a report on the action taken in this regard. But the Siddaramaiah-led government failed to submit its report or any affidavit to the apex court,” Simha added.
In July, chief secretary P Ravi Kumar directed the deputy commissioner of all districts to raze unauthorised religious structures in public places.
“The demolition drive was undertaken in accordance with the directions issued by the chief secretary,” the MP said.
However, he added that the officials in the Mysuru district administration had not read the Supreme Court order properly, and were targeting temples selectively.
“The Supreme Court issued directions that only structures built in public places after 2009. The apex court said that only those structures should be demolished only if relocation or regularisation was not possible. Officials have to examine each case individually but they have failed to do this,” Simha said.

Should have consulted people: BSY
Former CM BS Yediyurappa on Friday disapproved of the Bommai government’s move to clear places of worship from public places. He said the government should have consulted the stakeholders before taking up the drive.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Suttur Mutt seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami, the former CM said, “It is wrong to demolish temples without consulting the local people and elected representatives. The CM should initiate measures to preserve the temples.”
He added that the CM has taken corrective measures by halting the drive.
Meanwhile, a senior official who is at the centre of the row, met Yediyurappa during his visit to the city. The official provided the details about the demolition of Mahadevamma temple at Huchchagani in Nanjangud taluk, which ignited the row.
‘State tour with Kateel’
Yediyurappa said he will embark on a state tour along with state BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel ahead of panchayat polls after the ongoing assembly session. Yediyurappa also gave his successor Basavaraj Bommai a pat on his back saying the new CM is on the right track and providing good governance in the state. On whether, his younger son B Y Vijayendra, will contest from Varuna in Mysuru in the next assembly polls, the former CM said it will be decided by the party.
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