BBMP’s move to demolish temple flayed

BBMP’s move to demolish temple flayed


Express New Service
23 Sep 2008 08:37:00 AM IST

BANGALORE: Members of the Sri Sai Baba Sansthan have condemned BBMP’s move to demolish the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Kamakshipalya, without any prior notification. Sai Ram Prasad R, founder and chairman of the International Shirdi Sai Foundation, said that the demolition drive was unreasonable and was being carried out to serve the interests of a VIP. The temple, built in 1998, is visited by thousands of devotees daily. The BBMP had not raised any objection during the construction of the temple, it is said.

‘’On September 17, the wife of a VIP residing in the area asked me to shift the temple elsewhere, as she found the noise distracting. When I declined, she threatened to get the temple demolished,’’ said Prasad. On the same day, at 11 pm, five BBMP officials visited the temple and said that the building is not in accordance with BBMP bylaws.

The next day, the police said that BBMP had given orders to demolish the temple, even without producing a written order, Prasad alleged.

However, the demolition drive has been kept pending, after the trustees of the temple appealed to the Minister for Urban Development, S Suresh Kumar. ‘’But the demolition can happen any time,’’ said a harrowed devotee.

BBMP notice to Sai Seva Trust

The Bruhut Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued notice to Shirdi Sai Seva Trust for constructing a temple building, the design of which has not got approval from the BBMP. A press release from the BBMP stated that the construction of Sai Baba temple behind Kamakshipalya police station on Siddartha road did not have approval from the Corporation.

Therefore, under the Karnataka Municipal Council 1976, Section 462, the BBMP had sent notice to the Trust to clear the illegal construction, failing which the BBMP would take action, the release added.