Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

Shrines on public property to be demolished

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE Nov. 21. The Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, said on Friday that places of worship on public property would be razed without any "religious consideration".

Addressing presspersons after inspecting the development of Sankey Tank and Lalbagh, and relaying of pavements in Cubbon Park, he said: "We will not tolerate any place of worship on public land, be it a temple, mosque, or church. We respect religious sentiments, but will not yield to pressure," he said. This would apply to the entire State, and he had directed the district officers and the police to identify shrines on public property and demolish them, he added.

He wanted people to cooperate with the Government. "People should realise that public property is not meant for the so-called shrines. In fact, they should help us in this operation," he said.

He commended the Karnataka Land Army Corporation for the quality of pavement relaying and construction of Nirmala Shouchalayas in Bangalore. He said that measures initiated by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) were aimed at improving the quality of life of Bangaloreans. This reflected on good governance and city development, he added. Replying to a question on "pay' n use" use toilets, Mr. Krishna said people had to be educated on the concept as there was no alternative.Park development

Mr. Krishna appreciated the BMP and the BDA for taking up the comprehensive development of Cubbon Park and Lalbagh, respectively.

The BDA, which was restoring the garden at a cost of Rs. 15 crore, had promised to complete it by December 26, a month before the annual flower show. Mr. Krishna hoped that the park would be maintained properly thereafter.

`Sasya kashi'

The Chief Minister said a "Sasya Kashi" (botanical garden) would be grown between the Vidhana Soudha and the South Block. "The work has been entrusted to the BDA and is likely to be completed by March, when the South Block will be ready for use," he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Shrines on public property to be demolished
• `Divide and rule' for effective policing
• Boy enacts suicide scene; dies at hospital
• Young labourer ends life
• Mayoral poll: Congress meet on Wednesday

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu