News Tamil Nadu

Vinayakar Temple At Kilambakkam ‘Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus’ Demolished Overnight 

January 12, 2024
The Commune

The recently inaugurated Kalaignar Centenary Bus Stand near Vandalur in Chengalpattu district has become the centre of controversy after the overnight demolition of the Sivasakthi Vinayagar Temple located within the premises. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu inaugurated the bus stand two weeks ago and has been mired in controversy ever since. 

The reconstruction of the temple, conducted on a smaller scale by the contractor, drew criticism as concerns were raised regarding the presence of places of worship in government-owned public spaces.

Photos of the demolished Ganesha temple at Kilambakkam bus station surfaced on social media, intensifying the discussions around the issue. The land in question was initially owned by a private company, and a legal dispute ensued. The court eventually ruled that the land belonged to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Corporation, paving the way for the construction of the bus station. 

The Ganesha temple, which had stood at the Kilambakkam new bus stand for over 30 years, was situated near the outpost, now converted into a police station. Devotees from surrounding areas, including Urpakkam, Ayyanchery, and Karanaipuducherry, frequented the temple for continuous worship. The sudden removal of the Ganesha statue and the complete demolition of the temple overnight took locals by surprise, leading to a gathering at the temple site.

The situation escalated as representatives from Hindu Munnani and BJP visited the area. The police, led by Guduvancheri Assistant Commissioner Jayaraj and Guduvancheri Inspector Murugesan, were deployed for security at the Kilambakkam bus station. Anticipating potential protests from Hindu organisations, High-Security Force police were summoned following the order of Tambaram Commissioner Amalraj.

Officials from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Corporation addressed the controversy, stating that the land had been leased by VGP, leading to an ongoing court case. The court’s verdict affirmed that the land belongs to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Corporation. Previous constructions by VGP, including the World Peace Mata Temple and Mandapam, were removed for the bus stand, leaving only the Ganesha temple untouched. Continuous petitions regarding the temple led to the recent decision to remove it, putting an end to the longstanding issue.

(with inputs from Dinamalar)