Author: Sahadeva Dasa
Publication: ISKON News Weekly
Date: November 22, 2008
URL: http://news.iskcon.com/node/1481/2008-11-22/iskcon_secunderabad_stayes_demolition_attempt
In a bid to turn the twin Indian cities of
Secunderabad and Hyderabad into a London or New York overnight, the Andhra
Pradesh Government invoked the Land Acquisition Act on ISKCON Secunderabad
this November 5th.
The Act, which would affect the temple and
most of its land, was invoked to widen the main street on which the temple
sits. Yet no other religious structures on the same stretch received a similar
demolition notice. Devotees pleaded with the government to revoke the order,
but were ignored. Displaying total lack of tact, officials even entered the
temple without permission to measure it.
Devotees from Secunderabad and Hyderabad decided
to make their grievances public. Extensive propaganda across the city quickly
drew the attention of Hindu groups such as Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajarang
Dal, RSS, BJP, and Shiv Sena. Indian Opposition leader and Hindu sympathizer
Mr L.K. Advani, who was in town to address a rally, set aside his engagements
to meet the devotees. A press conference was called to announce the launch
of a state-wide "Save The Temple Movement." Media sprang on the
story and announced November 19th as the date for a massive demonstration
against the government's harassment and discrimination.
On D-day, at 9.30am sharp, three thousand
chanters poured into the Collector's office. The crowd included devotees from
ISKCON Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Rajamundry, Anantpur, and Tirupati as well
as many Hindu sympathizers. A veritable who's who of Hindu organizations arrived
with their full entourages. Traffic came to a standstill as police cordoned
off the main thoroughfare.
Every TV channel telecast the demonstration
live, while newspapers ran the story on their front pages. Some showed photos
of Hindu and political leaders putting on tilaka, dancing with cymbals and
savoring the sacred food that was being handed out. Even the police present
thoroughly enjoyed the chanting and prasad. Occasionally, as the chanting
slowed down, police would indicate with their hands, "Keep going, keep
going!"
Although the event had been planned to last
only one hour, it was seven hours before the protest finally ended, and the
government bowed out. The Collector told police that he would not go to meet
devotees, but devotees were insistent. Finally the Collector had to come out
and assure devotees and Hindu leaders that the demolition would not happen.
Secunderabad devotees say the threat been
averted, or at least postponed, for an indefinite period. However, they remain
on their guard and request the worldwide community of devotees to stay tuned
in and to lend their sympathy and support if the need arises.
