Karnataka govt mulls new policy to raze illegal religious constructions, may set up panel

BENGALURU: Caught between implementing the apex court docket’s order and the politics over razing of an illegal temple in Mysuru, the BJP authorities has abruptly halted the demolition of over 6,300 illegal shrines within the state, together with temples, mosques and church buildings. In a damage-control transfer, the federal government is now considering a new mechanism to raze illegal religious constructions and plans to file an attraction within the excessive court docket to search extra time to come out with the policy. It can be planning to set up a particular committee to look into relocation and regularisation of illegal shrines primarily based on the SC order. “This will be one of the top agendas in the next cabinet meeting likely to be held on Monday,” mentioned a senior Muzrai division official. The authorities is planning to announce compensation to rebuild the temple demolished at Nanjangud. By doing so, CM Basavaraj Bommai, who continues to struggle inner battles within the occasion, is trying to maintain the Sangh Parivar blissful as it’s mentioned to be miffed with the choice to raze the temple. He can be hoping to purchase time as he doesn’t need the difficulty to linger forward of native physique polls that may culminate with the meeting polls in 2023. Activists are, nonetheless, apprehensive concerning the wider ramifications of the state authorities’s stand. “Bommai should take a cue from his UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath and order removal of all religious structures that encroach upon public roads,” mentioned BM Shiva Kumar, a social activist. The Adityanath-led authorities initiated a drive in March to clear about 40,000 illegal shrines although meeting elections are just some months away, following a directive from Allahabad excessive court docket. “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Gujarat CM, he too had removed many shrines abutting roads, for which he had to face opposition of Sangh Parivar organisations. It’s time for Bommai to follow suit,” mentioned social activist G Janardhana. Removal of illegal religious constructions started years after an SC order of 2009. The excessive court docket pulled up the federal government — chief secretary specifically — for not performing on the order for a few years. It requested the CS to submit common action-taken studies and he shot off letters to DCs to provoke the drive. “Most illegal shrines here are very old and devotees throng them. Though illegal, any action taken against them may snowball into a law and order problem. A dialogue should be initiated with trustees or managers of the shrines and locals before demolishing them,” mentioned a senior minister. (Source: Times Of India)