Temple demolition in Alwar sparks row
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Alwar: In a contentious development from Alwar district's Umrain block, the demolition of a temple by the forest department has triggered protests among local residents. The incident, which occurred Thursday, has led to accusations of religious sentiment violation and damage to a Lord Hanuman idol.
Opposition leader Tikaram Jully led a protest Friday morning at the demolition site, demanding immediate reconstruction of the temple by the state govt. Jully criticised the forest department's actions, stating it should have conducted proper investigations regarding land ownership before proceeding with the demolition.
According to local resident Suwalal, the temple site holds significant historical and religious importance, dating back approximately 100 years.
He emphasised that the location has served as a rest stop for Devnarayan pilgrims for over 25 years. A new Devnarayan temple, constructed six months ago, was initially halted by the forest department before being demolished Thursday.
Sarpanch representative Bhavindra Patel warned of potential protests if the govt fails to rebuild the temple, placing the responsibility for any future unrest on the authorities. However, Additional SP Priyanka Raghuvanshi maintained that the forest department only removed illegal encroachments and did not damage the original temple site.
The incident has created a rift between local authorities and residents, with villagers threatening to launch intense protests if their demands for reconstruction were not met. The situation continues to develop as both sides maintain their positions on the matter.
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