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.
கிளாம்பாக்கம் பேருந்து நிலையத்தில் இருந்த விநாயகர் கோவிலை இடிக்க உத்தரவிட்டது யார் ? @CMDA_Official
இந்துக்களுக்கு எதிராக செயல்படுகிறதா திமுக அரசு? @CMOTamilnadu pic.twitter.com/YVUgcnoklp
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) January 11, 2024
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.
30 ஆண்டுகளாக கிளாம்பாக்கம் பேருந்து நிலையம் அருகில் இருந்த விநாயகர் கோவில் நள்ளிரவு இடிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இன்னொரு தரப்பினர் எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவிக்கின்றனர் என்கின்ற காரணத்தைக்காட்டி இந்துக்களின் உணர்வு புண்படும்படியாக கோவிலை இடித்து தள்ளியுள்ளது இந்த நாத்திக அரசு.
30 வருடங்களாக… pic.twitter.com/7AuAi35J7H
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) January 12, 2024
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)