A new temple has been discovered in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, where a 50-year-old Shiva mandir in the Sarai Rahman area, a locality with a predominantly Muslim population, has been found. The temple, which had remained closed for decades, was discovered on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, sparking demands for its reopening by Hindu organisations such as Karni Sena and Bajrang Dal.
Temple Under Decades of Neglect
The temple, located under the jurisdiction of the Banna Devi police station, had remained unnoticed for years due to the area’s demographic composition and the migration of Hindu families from the region. Reports suggest that the site had been under alleged illegal occupation, which prevented worship and maintenance.
Hindu organisations claimed that the murtis inside the temple were damaged, with some broken and the Shivling buried under debris. This condition, they argued, reflected years of neglect and disrespect for the sanctity of the site.
Hindu Organisations Mobilise
Upon discovering the temple, members of Karni Sena and Bajrang Dal mobilised at the site, demanding its reopening for worship. Gyanendra Singh Chauhan, the state president of the Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena, led the efforts, stating that the temple had been under “illegal occupation for years” and that it was time to reclaim it.
A memorandum was submitted to local authorities by Karni Sena, urging the administration to take immediate steps to ensure the temple’s restoration and the unhindered practice of worship.
Administration Steps In
The situation prompted the deployment of police to maintain order in the area. Pankaj Mishra, the in-charge of the Banna Devi police station, confirmed that the temple had been cleaned, secured, and reopened for worship. Additionally, the local administration assured Hindu organizations that steps would be taken to protect the temple from future encroachments.
Discovery of Damaged Murtis
Activists who entered the temple found the idols in a state of disrepair, with several statues broken and the Shivling buried under rubble. Bricks had also been piled outside the temple. Members of the Karni Sena and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) worked to clear the debris and clean the premises, revealing the Shivling and restoring the temple to a condition suitable for worship.
Larger Campaign for Temple Reclamation
Gyanendra Singh Chauhan disclosed to the media that Karni Sena had identified approximately 15 temples in Aligarh that were allegedly under Muslim control and announced plans to reclaim them. This follows similar actions in Sambhal, where Hindu organisations reclaimed another neglected temple earlier this year.
Prateek Raghuwanshi, Aligarh’s district publicity head for the VHP, remarked on the reopening as a significant step toward reclaiming cultural heritage. He stated that the temple in Sarai Rahman had faced decades of neglect and was finally “freed from occupation.”
Historical Context and Local Perspectives
As per reports, residents of Sarai Rahman recounted that the area was once home to Hindu families who gradually migrated, selling their homes to Muslim families. Many Hindus reportedly took their idols with them when they left, leaving the temple abandoned. Over time, the Muslim community is said to have taken control of the site.
Aligarh’s City SP, Mrigank Pathak, confirmed receiving complaints about the illegal occupation of the temple and stated that an investigation would be conducted. “We will ensure legal action against those responsible for the encroachment,” Pathak said.
Significance of Reopening
The reopening of the Shiva temple marks an important chapter in the ongoing efforts by Hindu organisations to reclaim religious sites in areas where they allege encroachment and neglect. With legal investigations underway and heightened community interest, the temple’s restoration has drawn attention to the broader narrative of cultural preservation in Uttar Pradesh.
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