Activists of the Temples Liberation Struggle Committee – Tamil Nadu staged a demonstration here on Sunday to express resentment over the demolition of temples to enable widening of roads in the city.
Led by committee founder-president Arjun Sampath, the activists demanded alternative sites for the temples already demolished and for those that have been identified for removal.
Mr. Sampath said roads needed to be widened, but without denying space for temples where people worshipped every day. He claimed there were court orders that temples of archaeological importance should not be demolished. It was sad that the Vinayaka Temple at Puliakulam was also being targeted for demolition, he said.
There were some temples in the city on whose lands roads had been laid. Therefore, these temples should not be removed, he said.
Mr. Sampath said an Ayyappa Temple and a Vinayaka Temple were removed when the North Coimbatore Flyover was being built. But, these temples were given alternative sites.
The same approach should be adopted now also, he insisted.
