Pragativahini News, Nanjangud: BJP Nanjungud MLA B Harshavardhan on Monday visited Huchchagani village where a temple was recently razed down and announced that he would
contribute Rs 5 lakh from his salary for the construction of a new temple.
Harshavardhan, who recently visited the village after the Sri Mahadevamma temple
was demolished, interacted with the villagers for a long time. They were asked to
maintain peace and not be carried away by any provocative statements.
“As part of my salary, I am contributing Rs 5 lakh to the construction of the temple
in place of the old one. The money would be released in a week’s time. Let me
know when the temple construction will begin. I could have mobilised money from
some other sources. But I want to contribute from my salary. A villager (Nage
Gowda) has pledged 5 guntas of land. The villagers have acceded to it. I will
monitor the construction work. I will not rest till the temple is built. I have taken
this as a challenge.” The villagers immediately applauded his announcement.
When he suggested them to take as much land as required, the villagers welcomed
it. He has also said engineers would be sent to supervise the work.
An apolitical trust should be formed to begin the temple work, he suggested them
saying people who have affiliation to all political parties visit a temple.
Harshavardhan, responding to his critics over the temple demolition issue, said,
“Someone declared that an acre of land would be donated for building the new
temple and the chief minister would be doing guddali pooje. Where is it? Who has
announced it? Let us not heed such bogus claims for the sake of a photo
opportunity. Temples are being demolished in many constituencies, including HD
Kote, Piryapatna, and T Narasimpura, due to the Supreme Court’s directive. Why
are these not being debated? Will one acre of land be given and the chief minister
lay the foundation for a new temple in every place? Well, I don’t want to play on
the emotions of the people.”
He said he had already submitted to the chief minister a memorandum seeing Rs
20 lakh for constructing a new temple.
The MLA, who was forthright on the issue, said that he did his best to save the 15
temples in his constituency which have been identified for demolition/relocation
as per the Supreme Court order. However, officials were under pressure to act in
case of the Huchchagani temple. “It is not that I didn’t make efforts to save it. But
now whom should I blame? The Surveyors, tahsildar, DC? In all places, the notified
temples are getting demolished similarly at 5 AM. But only the Nanjungud incident
is being highlighted by all, including by the media. Why is it so? Is it because of a
reserved constituency? Is it a conspiracy to tarnish my image,” he wondered.
Harshavardhan said in the just concluded legislature session, two subjects were
discussed at length – religious conversion and the imposition of a penalty on the
family of a two-year old for entering a temple. The reason for conversion is
obvious, he said, implying that such atrocities force people to make difficult
decisions.
The MLA said instead of challenging the Supreme Court’s direction on the temple
issue, the best way to tackle is to enact the legislation. Hence, the bill was
introduced in the legislature session, he added.
BJP Mandal President Mahesh, leaders B S Mahadevappa, Kumbralli Subbanna,
Kempanna, Kendagannappa, Razak, Basappa, and others were present.
Later, the MLA visited the house of Udayaravi, who was injured in a clash over the
temple demolition issue in Huchchagani. He met the family members and instilled
confidence among them.
At Sangama, he paid his respects to Sri Sadguru Mahadeva Thatanavara Gadduge.
He had Prasada there and listened to the grievances aired by the party workers.
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