<p>The dawn-to-dusk Chamarajanagar bandh call bandh call, given by various organisations, condemning the burning of the chariot of Sri Chamrajeshwaraswami Temple, evoked good response here on Monday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Business transactions came to a halt in the city. Schools and colleges were declared a holiday. Petrol bunks, theatres and banks were closed, causing inconvenience to the people. However, there was no disruption in the KSRTC and private bus services.<br /><br />The Doddangadi Beedhi, Chikkangadi Beedhi, B Rachaiah Double Road and Gundlupet Road, that are usually abuzz with activities, wore a deserted look on Monday, with traders voluntarily downing the shutters of their establishments.<br /><br />Members of various organisations took out a protest march in the town and demanded stern punishment for the perpetrators.<br /><br />They also submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner B Ramu, seeking Rs 5 crore for the renovation of the temple, a new chariot by next Ashada month and banning public programme on the temple premises. <br /><br />They urged the DC to step up security around the park near the temple and control illegal activities.<br />SP Kuldeep Kumar R Jain said, three special teams have been constituted to nab the culprits. The police have begun the probe and a few suspects have been subjected to questioning.<br /><br />Meanwhile, District in-charge Minister U T Khader, who is on a pilgrimage to Mecca, has condemned the incident. <br /><br />He has directed the deputy commissioner and SP to constitute a special team to probe the issue, and has appealed to the people to maintain peace.<br /><br />No new chariot<br /><br />DC B Ramu clarified that there was no major damage to the chariot and it is not possible to construct a new chariot within three months. He, however, said the damaged portion of the temple car would be repaired.<br /><br />The temple is being renovated at a cost of Rs 2 crore and the miscreants have set fire to the chariot so that a new one would be built. Stern action will be taken against those, who have hurt the sentiments of the people. A proposal would be submitted to the state, seeking funds for the new chariot. If philanthropists come forward and donate liberally, a new chariot can be made before 2018 jatre, he said.<br /><br />According to documents of the temple, the ‘Brahma Ratha’ is 179-year-old and is made of teak and honne wood. It may be mentioned that this was the second time attempts have been made to torch the chariot. Miscreants had made a vain bid in the year 2015, but only the coconut fronds, covering the chariot, was burnt.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The dawn-to-dusk Chamarajanagar bandh call bandh call, given by various organisations, condemning the burning of the chariot of Sri Chamrajeshwaraswami Temple, evoked good response here on Monday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Business transactions came to a halt in the city. Schools and colleges were declared a holiday. Petrol bunks, theatres and banks were closed, causing inconvenience to the people. However, there was no disruption in the KSRTC and private bus services.<br /><br />The Doddangadi Beedhi, Chikkangadi Beedhi, B Rachaiah Double Road and Gundlupet Road, that are usually abuzz with activities, wore a deserted look on Monday, with traders voluntarily downing the shutters of their establishments.<br /><br />Members of various organisations took out a protest march in the town and demanded stern punishment for the perpetrators.<br /><br />They also submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner B Ramu, seeking Rs 5 crore for the renovation of the temple, a new chariot by next Ashada month and banning public programme on the temple premises. <br /><br />They urged the DC to step up security around the park near the temple and control illegal activities.<br />SP Kuldeep Kumar R Jain said, three special teams have been constituted to nab the culprits. The police have begun the probe and a few suspects have been subjected to questioning.<br /><br />Meanwhile, District in-charge Minister U T Khader, who is on a pilgrimage to Mecca, has condemned the incident. <br /><br />He has directed the deputy commissioner and SP to constitute a special team to probe the issue, and has appealed to the people to maintain peace.<br /><br />No new chariot<br /><br />DC B Ramu clarified that there was no major damage to the chariot and it is not possible to construct a new chariot within three months. He, however, said the damaged portion of the temple car would be repaired.<br /><br />The temple is being renovated at a cost of Rs 2 crore and the miscreants have set fire to the chariot so that a new one would be built. Stern action will be taken against those, who have hurt the sentiments of the people. A proposal would be submitted to the state, seeking funds for the new chariot. If philanthropists come forward and donate liberally, a new chariot can be made before 2018 jatre, he said.<br /><br />According to documents of the temple, the ‘Brahma Ratha’ is 179-year-old and is made of teak and honne wood. It may be mentioned that this was the second time attempts have been made to torch the chariot. Miscreants had made a vain bid in the year 2015, but only the coconut fronds, covering the chariot, was burnt.<br /><br /></p>
