On Saturday, BJP leaders announced that the Railways’ notice to demolish a temple outside Mumbai’s Dadar station has been stopped. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the temple will be allowed to stay as long as it follows the rules.
This news comes after Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of the Shiv Sena party, criticized the BJP about the demolition notice. BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha assured everyone that the Dadar Hanuman temple would be protected. During his visit to the temple near Dadar’s Central Railway station, Lodha spoke with the temple trustees and joined in the prayer ceremony called ‘aarti’.
Lodha mentioned that he spoke with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who confirmed that the demolition order has been halted. Uddhav Thackeray had previously called the demolition notice a ‘fatwa’ against the 80-year-old Hanuman temple, saying even places of worship weren’t safe during the BJP’s leadership.
After visiting the temple, Lodha told reporters that the BJP government is listening to the concerns of the Hindu community. He assured everyone that the temple is safe and that they would continue to protect it against any threats.
The Railways had sent a notice saying the temple was built without permission and was blocking commuters and vehicle traffic at the station. They had given a seven-day deadline to remove it.
Fadnavis, who was attending the ‘Pune Book Festival 2024’, said that they are working on classifying and preserving ancient temples. He promised to discuss the situation with railway officials and find a solution for the Dadar Hanuman temple.
Additionally, former MP Kirit Somaiya visited the temple and reassured the trustees that the demolition wouldn’t happen. He criticized Thackeray, reminding him of his past actions against those who worshipped at the temple.
Former Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale also wrote to Vaishnaw, urging him to find a lasting solution. Shewale mentioned that a similar demolition notice had been stopped in the past thanks to his efforts.
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