<p>Two places of worship were pulled down in a pre-dawn operation, in Hassan on Saturday.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />The operation demolition started around 3 am with the demolition of Chalthepeer Dargah on Holenarasipur road. <br /><br />It was followed by razing the Neralamma temple. There was no resistance from anybody while razing the temple.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />Officials won’t budge <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /></p>
<p>Two places of worship were pulled down in a pre-dawn operation, in Hassan on Saturday.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />The operation demolition started around 3 am with the demolition of Chalthepeer Dargah on Holenarasipur road. <br /><br />It was followed by razing the Neralamma temple. There was no resistance from anybody while razing the temple.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />Officials won’t budge <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /> 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. <br /><br /></p>
