Hindu Hitarakshana Vedike (HHV) took out a protest-rally here on Saturday, condemning the demolition of Hindu temples and related structures for road widening. As many as 20 structures, including temples and a mosque, on either side of Netaji Road were partially demolished here on Tuesday.
Though all the structures, irrespective of their religious affiliations or ownership, which stood in the way of widening the road, had been demolished, the protesters alleged that the district administration targeted only Hindu places of worship in its demolition drive.
The police stopped the rally that began at Karnataka Sangha and was heading towards the office of Deputy Commissioner, at Vivekananda Circle. They did not allow the protesters to proceed through Netaji Road where the religious structures were demolished. That led to heated exchange of words between the police and the protesters. The activists staged a demonstration on the spot.
Addressing the mob, Raichur Rural MLA Tipparaj Hawaldar alleged that the district administration was discriminating between religious groups in implementing the road-widening project. Former MLC and BJP leader N. Shankarappa demanded restoration of demolished structures at the same place.
Deputy Commissioner S. Sasikanth Senthil visited the spot and said the district administration had displayed impartiality in demolition while widening the road. He said the demolition for widening the narrow arterial road that passed through the middle of the city was unavoidable. It was done in public interest, he said.
The protesters submitted a memorandum to the officer and vacated the place.
In order to avoid undesirable developments, the police was deployed in the area in large numbers. Superintendent of Police Chetan Singh Rathor, along with other police officers, camped in the area.
BJP district president Basangouda Byagwatt and other BJP leaders were present.
