Tensions erupted in Arumbakkam’s Janakiraman Colony when local residents staged a protest against the demolition of a 40-year-old Vinayagar temple. The Greater Chennai Corporation officials arrived to carry out the demolition in compliance with an order from the Madras High Court.
The controversy began when a local doctor filed a petition in the Madras High Court, requesting the temple’s removal. The petition argued that the temple was built on a stretch of road encroaching upon land in Ward 105 of Arumbakkam, and it was causing an obstruction to traffic flow.
In response to the court’s directive, Chennai Corporation officials from Zone 8 arrived on 19 November 2024, to execute the demolition. However, their attempt was met with fierce opposition from local residents, who organized a sit-in protest near the temple to block the workers.
The situation quickly escalated as more residents gathered, creating a tense standoff. The police were called in to manage the growing unrest and maintain order in the area.
One resident expressed that the issue stemmed from a personal ego clash between the complainant and the colony, describing it as a conflict involving one individual’s ego against the community. She argued that the temple had never caused any disturbance, but instead brought positive energy to the area. She warned that if the temple were demolished, it could lead to various nuisances, such as strangers loitering, encroachment, and cars being parked inappropriately.
An elderly resident also voiced her frustration, questioning why the temple should be demolished after peacefully existing in Janakiraman Colony for 40 years. She reflected on the significance of the temple, saying, “Generations have relied on this temple for spiritual peace. It’s a place where we cleanse our hearts, where simply passing by and offering a small prayer, we feel our sins are washed away. I can’t afford to visit other temples, which charge fees, but here it’s free. Can this be taken away from us? As Bharati sang, ‘My heart can’t tolerate this.’ Yesterday, we were praying to Lord Ganapathi to save us, but today, we pray to save Lord Ganapathi.”
"கணபதியே காப்பாற்று என்ற நிலை மாறி… கணபதியை காப்பாற்று என அலற வச்சிட்டாங்களே…"
சென்னை அரும்பாக்கத்தில் 40 ஆண்டு கால பிள்ளையார் கோயிலை இடிக்க மாநகராட்சி முயற்சி#Chennai | #Temple | #Arumpakkam | #TNPolice | #GCC | #Corporation | #TamilJanam pic.twitter.com/Hxs8EXGmfc— Tamil Janam (@TamilJanamNews) November 19, 2024
(With inputs from DTNext)
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