Several illegal places of worship razed in Hassan

SC Order: Drive to continue in the district

Two places of worship were pulled down in a pre-dawn operation, in Hassan on Saturday.

As many as six structures were brought down amid tight police protection. On the first day, three temples, a dargah and a church were razed to the ground.

The operation demolition started around 3 am with the demolition of Chalthepeer Dargah on Holenarasipur road.

It was followed by razing the Neralamma temple. There was no resistance from anybody while razing the temple.

Also, the administration brought down a statue of Basavanna being consecrated on the middle of the BM road, in front of the Hassan sub-jail.

Officials won’t budge

The dargah committee which had sensed that the operation would begin from Saturday, had met Deputy Commissioner Naveen Raj Singh in a delegation on Friday and had appealed to him to give more time to carry out a few rituals before demolition.

However, their request was turned down by the DC, who also appealed to the community leaders to co-operate in executing the SC’s order. Sri Immadi Shivalinga Swamiji of Thanniru Halla and some devotees had also met the Assistant Commissioner Karigowda appealing him against removal of Basavanna’s statue.

The district administration has identified around 21 places of worship which would be pulled down shortly. The operation would continue in the coming days, the officials said.