Hindu organisations to launch nationwide campaign for reconstruction of temples

Panaji: Hindu organisations on Monday decided to launch a nationwide campaign for the reconstruction of temples destroyed by the invaders. 

''At the national level, not only the Ram temple, Kashi, Mathura, Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal and Bhojshala, but thousands of temples have been demolished by the Mughals and Portuguese. India became independent; however, the ancient religious places of Hindus remained in foreign slavery,'' said the organisations, while attending the 10th 'Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Rashtra Adhiveshan,' being held at Ramnathi in Ponda of South Goa.

If the evidence is made available regarding demolished temples in Goa, a legal fight will be initiated, the advocates said on the second day of Adhiveshan.

Speaking to reporters here, Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said the mythological significance of the disputed site, historical evidence of destruction and the history of the case would be studied.

''If research proves that the temples were demolished, we will start a court battle for their restoration. Many of the disputed sites are currently under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is acting against Section 16 of the 1958 Act. As a true Hindu, we are taking an oath to re-establish the cultural tradition of India by rebuilding such temples," he said.

Subhash Welingkar, Goa State Sanghchalak of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' organisation, said, "More than 1000 temples were demolished during the Portuguese rule. Two of these temples have survived the onslaught of the church, one at Varenyapuri (Verna) and the other of Shri Vijayadurga Devi.

"Despite the temple being declared a protected area by the State archaeology department, a conspiracy to usurp the temple's land continues through the church. Hindu devotees will have to come together and fight against this attack," he added.

The Adhiveshan is being attended by over 225 delegates from abroad, as well as from various states in India. (UNI)