Concerned over the mass demolition of temples in Cuttack, the Cuttack Mahanagar Dharmanusthan Suraksha Committee on Saturday demanded promulgation of an ordinance by the State Government immediately to protect the spiritual institutions.
“We urge the Government to promulgate an ordinance soon to protect the temples, mutts and other spiritual institutions in Cuttack and respect the sentiment and emotional attachment of thousands of people,” said committee president Arun Kumar Panda.
Panda asked, “While funds were provided under MP, MlA local area development funds and other Government sources for erection of various spiritual institutions, then on what basis they were being demolished.”
He said though the High Court in 2011 had ordered the Cuttack district administration, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation and other concerned authorities to evict illegal constructions with immediate effect, the same has not happened till date.
“It is a matter of great concern that while the administration has failed to evict other illegal constructions in city, it demolished several spiritual institutions in the name of the High Court verdict,” said Panda, adding, before starting demolition, the administration should hold discussions with various community leaders, peace and puja committees’ representatives and political leaders.