CM Revanth now targeting temples, says Harish Rao; condemns Rajashyamala temple demolition bid in Kokapet

Former Minister T Harish Rao has accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of targeting temples after demolishing houses of the poor in Khammam. He alleged that the Congress government plans to demolish Sharada Peetham’s Rajashyamala Temple in Kokapet, despite the BRS having sanctioned land for its construction in 2019.

Hyderabad: Demanding that the Congress government shelve its plans to demolish Sharada Peetham’s Rajashyamala Temple at Neopolis in Kokapet, former Minister T Harish Rao alleged that after demolishing houses of the poor, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is now targeting temples.

In 2019, the BRS government had sanctioned two acres of land to Sharada Peetham for the construction of the Rajashyamala Temple. Accordingly, the requisite fee was paid for registration and the temple was constructed. Yet, Revanth Reddy was now demolishing the temple, he charged.

---

On Friday night, several police personnel reached the temple, and along with Revenue department officials, denied temple staff permission to perform pujas. Food distribution programmes for the poor were being conducted regularly at the temple.

After learning about the police presence, the former Minister visited the temple on Saturday. “Noticing my arrival, the police and MRO, Revenue Inspector vanished from the spot,” he said.

Later speaking to media persons, the former Minister alleged that Revanth Reddy was demolishing the temple with a politically motivated intention to wipe out the imprints of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.

“A temple is not a mere structure. The move to demolish it is an attack on the sentiments and rights of Hindus. The BRS will stand by the temple management and stage protests, if Revanth Reddy does not shelve the plans,” Harish Rao said.

The former Minister questioned why the Revanth Reddy government was targeting the temple land.

Right opposite the temple, the State government had allotted 10 acres on mining lease to Bhagyalakshmi Mines and Minerals, owned by the Chief Minister’s son-in-law Ramesh Reddy, he said.

Alleging violation of HMDA rules, which do not permit mining within one kilometre beyond the Outer Ring Road, he said the company was allotted a 10-acre mining lease in survey numbers 239 and 240. Interestingly, while 10 acres were permitted for mining, efforts were underway to occupy 17 acres of land, he alleged.

“If the government wants to construct a HMWSSB office, it can be done in the government land opposite the temple. Why is the temple management being harassed and why is the temple being demolished?” Harish Rao asked.

Demanding Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu to intervene and scrap the plans, the former Minister alleged that the Chief Minister bore a grudge against the poor in the State.

“After HYDRAA demolitions in the city, poor people’s houses in Khammam, Revanth Reddy is now targeting temples. When doom approaches, the mind acts perversely,” Harish Rao said.