Don’t communalise temples issue: CPM

​Vijayawada: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) here on Monday took strong exception to the BJP-RSS using the temples’ removal issue for creating communal disturbances in the city.

Speaking to media persons, CPI-M Amaravati region convener Ch Baburao blamed the State government for the indiscriminate demolition of the temples and other places of worship, besides thousands of houses of the poor in the name of road widening and city development. He said that the officials were removing the houses of the people from the road margins, canal and river banks in the name of development.

He said that people who have been living on the canal banks and river bank for several years are now made homeless with the officials removing them overnight without notice.

Similarly, temples, churches and masjids are also being removed in the name of development, he said. While stating that the party was not against displacement of any structure, including places of worship, for development as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court, Baburao felt that the officials should have given time to the people and even took their consent before demolishing temples and other places of worship.

However, he came down heavily on the BJP-RSS for taking advantage of the situation and instigate communal violence in the city. He said that the city had been a peaceful place with people of various faiths living in peace and harmony. He cautioned the BJP-RSS leaders against creating communal unrest in the city for their political gains.

Baburao said that the governments in various countries have removed places of worship whenever it is required for development. Even in Gujarat and Delhi, places of worship were removed for road widening and other developmental works. However, it was done in due consultation with the local people, he recalled and raised strong exception to the way the officials in Vijayawada removed temples, churches and masjids in the name of development.

The CPI-M leader asked the State government to hold an all party meeting in the city and consult the leaders on the Krishna Pushkarams arrangements and Vijayawada city development. He also sought to advise the government to involve people of all sections and faiths to avoid communal disturbance in the city.

CPI-M senior leader Donepudi Kasinath was also present. YSRCP condemns demolition of temples Vijayawada Municipal Corporation YSR Congress party corporators have condemned the demolition of temples. They said the demolions hurt the sentiments of Hindus. The VMC party floor leader B Punyaseela, senior corporate Boppana Bhava Kumar and others speaking to newsmen at the district party office on Monday said the State government is taking unilateral decisions and not consulting the temple committees before demolishing the temples.

They demanded that the Government must reconstruct the demolished temples at the same venue. The YSRCP corporators have said demolition of Gosala is also very wrong and added the cow is considered sacred in India and it should be worshipped.

They said the YSRCP has not opposed the development works in the city in view of the Krishna Pushkaralu and now decided to oppose because the State government is creating panic by demolishing the temples and houses for the development works.

They warned that the party would launch big agitation if the Government continues demolishing temples and houses.