Outgoing CM Yediyurappa slams Karnataka govt for demolishing temple in haste

Mysuru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa Friday said it is wrong to demolish the temples in a rush.The district administrators should have taken the opinion of the people before demolishing the temple near Mysuru, he said.

"For whatever reasons one should not demolish the temples in a rush. It is not right. The chief minister has already given instructions not to demolish temples in a rush. People's opinion should be taken before demolishing any temple," he told reporters here.

Yediyurappa was replying to a query on the demolition of a Mahadeva Temple at Nanjangud taluk by Mysuru district administration.

The issue had created a storm with the opposition led by Congress cornering the BJP government for not protecting the religious sentiments of the Hindus, though it won elections in the name of Hindutva.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah went to an extent of even calling BJP as a party of imposters, who cheat them by playing Hindu politics.

Even BJP MP Pratap Simha blamed the district administration for taking a hurried decision to bring down the temple based on a supreme court order.

Simha however alleged that the demolition was not done as per the Supreme Court order. "The officials misinterpreted the order to demolish the temple," he alleged.

The Supreme Court order in fact mentions not to demolish temples built before 2009.The controversy prompted Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to intervene and direct the officials to stop demolition of temples across the state until further order.

Asked about Bommai's one-month rule, Yediyurappa said he is giving a very good administration and people also have the same opinion."In the coming days, I expect he will give better administration," he added.

Replying to a query, Yediyurappa said he would go on a statewide tour as per the directions of the central leadership 15 days after the assembly session.(UNI)