Even as there are possibilities that the Odisha High Court might take up petitions seeking review of its order on illegal temple demolition on Tuesday, the Cuttack administration went ahead in grounding the places of worship on Monday giving scant regard to the fervent appeals of the people to hold back the drive for the day.
Amid massive public disenchantment, the authorities equipped with huge police arrangements grounded yet another popular and beautiful temple in Markat Nagar on the day. After completely ravaging the Bhakti Vedanta temple at Sector 7 of the satellite township, the bulldozers brought down the Trishakti temple in Kathjodi Avenue, which was constructed 12 years ago.
Plans are afoot to demolish a 20-year temple near Harihar Ghat on the bank of the river Kathajodi on Tuesday. While the administration was tightlipped over the issue, a large number of devotees gathered at the Radha-Krushna Bhakti Mandir on Monday and recited bhajans and kirtans throughout the day. They have also vowed not to allow the authorities, including police and bulldozers inside the temple campus on Tuesday.
An unsuccessful attempt was made in 2007 to demolish the 40 feet temple, which is located about 100 meters away from the main road. The two-storied temple has come up on an area of 5000 square feet with a cost of Rs 2 crore and over 500 local devotees have offered ‘shramdan’ for the majestic structure which was inaugurated in 2002.
“When our application to take the land under lease is under consideration of the State Government for last 20 years, how could the administration infer that we have encroached upon the land,” asks a devotee. The devotees have even suggested that the temple could be taken over by the endowment department for maintenance and rituals instead of demolishing it, which is in no way affecting the road traffic.
On the other hand, an unconfirmed source said the Government would not interfere at this stage to urge the High Court for a review of its previous order. The law Minister on Monday convened a high-level meeting in which the state advocate general, a special secretary and the central range RDC attended.
Sources said the AG would apprise the High Court about the public sentiment involved in the touchy issue but would not ask the Court to review its earlier order. “The Government would simply carry out the orders of the High Court and let us wait for Tuesday,” an official here said.