On Republic Day, tension prevailed in Hajipur, headquarters of Vaishali district in north Bihar when police went to remove a small temple, also called Brahm Sthan, under a fig tree. The locals turned violent and attacked the police party, torched some vehicles and forced the cops to retreat.
The police went to remove the makeshift temple in Baghmalli locality under Sadar police station in Hajipur town at the orders of the Patna High Court. Hearing a writ petition filed by one Kailash Thakur, who is constructing his house just behind the temple pleading that the ‘unauthorised’ temple was creating a hindrance in his entry and exit source. The court on January 24 passed order for removal of the encroachment.
Director General of Police PK Thakur told The Pioneer, “A Brahm Sthan was constructed on Government land and the High Court passed order on a writ petition filed by a citizen who has problem with the encroachment. When police went to implement the court order, public turned furious and indulged in arson and violence.”
While the administration insisted that it was Government land belonging to Hajipur Nagar Parishad (municipal council) while locals claimed the temple existed on private land. local people are unanimous that they would not allow administration to remove the temple which they say was constructed many years ago. Initially, some stone and a statue were kept under the tree where later on a small temple was built.
The local people also held a siege of Sadar police station in protest of police action also demanded release of a councilor of municipal council who was taken into custody on Tuesday in course of clash and violence. The police refused to release the councilor.
Top police officials including Vaishali SP Rakesh Kumar and Muzaffarpur Inspector General of Police Parasnath are camping there. The Town police station SHO Shankar Jha has been removed and sent to police line on the charge of dereliction of duty.
The BJP accused the Nitish Kumar Government for mishandling of a sensitive issue and said the matter could have been settled amicably in consultation with the local people. “The temple could have been transferred to another place by taking local people into confidence,” said former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi.
Senior BJP leader Nandkishore Yadav advised the Government to maintain patience in sensitive issues. He alleged that the police reacted irresponsibly while removing the encroachment from Nagar Parishad land which made situation violent. “Since the High Court has given the administration one month time to find out a solution, the administration should tread the matter cautiously. Vasudeo Mandir in Hajipur is a centre of faith and any attempt to demolish it can cause further problem to social harmony.”