Hubballi: A controversy has erupted in Hubballi over the alleged construction of a road on the site of the historic Pushkarani (temple tank) belonging to the Bhavani Shankar Temple, with BJP leaders and Hindu organisations accusing civic authorities of damaging a heritage structure and ignoring repeated objections.
A large protest was held on Saturday in front of the Chennapet Garden demanding removal of the road and restoration of the Pushkarani. BJP MLAs Aravind Bellad and Mahesh Tenginkai, MLC Pradeep Shettar, Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik and several BJP leaders and Hindu activists participated in the protest.
The protesters alleged that the Pushkarani was part of the temple complex dating back to the Kalyana Chalukya period and should have been protected as a historical and religious heritage site. They accused the authorities of failing to conduct proper verification before taking up the road work and demanded that the road be removed immediately.
Tension prevailed in the area after protesters attempted to move towards the disputed site with the intention of removing the road. Dalit and Muslim organisations opposed the demand for removal of the road, leading to apprehension of a confrontation.
Police imposed prohibitory orders within a 500-metre radius of the Bhavani Shankar Temple and deployed more than 1,500 personnel to prevent any untoward incident. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar personally monitored the security arrangements at the spot.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi strongly condemned the alleged decision to construct the road over the Pushkarani and accused the authorities of committing a serious mistake. Visiting the disputed site on Saturday, Joshi inspected the Bhavani Shankar Temple in Asar Oni and the road allegedly constructed over the Pushkarani. He alleged that the Congress government had succumbed to pressure from what he described as “appeasement politics” and failed to protect the temple property.
Joshi said objections had been raised earlier and authorities had been urged to stop the construction work. Despite this, he alleged, the work continued. “I spent my childhood in this part of old Hubballi. There have been repeated attacks on this temple in the past,” Joshi said, alleging that the latest development had further raised concerns over the protection of the historic site.
He claimed that the temple was around 1,400 years old and situated in a protected area. According to him, restrictions were in place on construction and activities such as mining within 100 metres of the temple, yet work had allegedly been carried out within the restricted zone.
Joshi criticised officials for allegedly ignoring representations submitted during the construction work. He said the authorities should have stopped the project and verified the historical and legal status of the property before allowing any construction.
He also questioned whether the road construction had received proper approval from the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation. According to Joshi, no resolution had been passed in the corporation approving the road work.
The Union minister said the BJP and Hindu organisations would continue their agitation and also pursue legal remedies against those responsible. He said legal action would follow if investigations established that officials or other persons had violated rules or damaged protected property.
Joshi also demanded that the Pushkarani be excavated and its original status restored. He said local residents and organisations had informed the authorities that a Pushkarani existed at the site several decades ago and that efforts should be made to establish its original boundaries and condition.
The controversy has also triggered a political confrontation between the BJP and the ruling Congress. Joshi alleged that the government was selectively restricting protests while allowing activities that had created controversy.
He questioned the government’s commitment to democratic values and said people should have the right to protest peacefully over matters involving heritage and public property. “Democracy gives people the right to protest,” he said, while criticising restrictions imposed on protests on different issues.
Joshi also accused some local municipal representatives of behaving aggressively and alleged that the civic administration was favouring one section of society. He demanded that the government act impartially and ensure that heritage properties were protected irrespective of the community or group associated with them.
BJP and Hindu organisations accused the authorities of appeasement politics and failing to protect a heritage religious structure. The protesters have maintained that the issue is not merely about a road but concerns the protection of an ancient temple property and restoration of a traditional water structure. They have questioned why the civic authorities allegedly proceeded with the road work despite objections and demanded an immediate inquiry into the approvals granted for the project.
BJP leaders have accused the government of yielding to pressure from certain sections instead of protecting historical and religious heritage. They have demanded a detailed survey of the site, verification of historical and revenue records and clarification of the ownership of the land on which the road was constructed.
The alleged failure of authorities to act on earlier representations has further fuelled anger among protesters. They have demanded that officials responsible for permitting or executing the work face action if violations are established.
Police have imposed restrictions around the temple and deploying heavy security to prevent confrontation between groups supporting and opposing removal of the road. The BJP has questioned the government’s priorities, alleging that concerns of appeasement have been placed above heritage protection and equal application of rules.
