Vishwa Hindu Parishad protests order to demolish 39 temples in Ranchi

Ranchi, Aug.30 (ANI): Activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad staged protest here on Sunday against the State administration's move to demolish 39 temples constructed on government land.

The protestors of the outfit shouted slogans, stopped vehicular movement by deflating tyres and forced shops to close.

The outfit, which had called for a shutdown, alleged that the administration was only targeting Hindu temples.

"Today, the (ruling) Congress party is targeting Hindu temples through Governor. I want to tell, with example, that in Ranchi there are hundreds of (illegal) religious places of other religious communities. The government doesn't notice that," said Ganga Prasad Yadav, General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Ranchi.

The VHP activists threatened to intensify their agitation if the administration went ahead with the move.

"If the administration goes ahead, then Hindu society will resist it. We will sacrifice our lives, but we will not let the temples to be demolished. This is our resolve," said Ganga Prasad Yadav.

The local administration has issued notices for pulling down as many as 39 temples, illegally constructed on government land in the district.

Some of the religious places are more than 50-year-old and are visited by scores of devotees.

According to officials, the decision comes in the wake of a Supreme Court direction, which asked the State governments to ascertain which temples/mosques were constructed on government land and to take steps to remove them. (ANI)