The Hindu 16.11.2010
Unauthorised shrines causing inconvenience to go
Chitra V. Ramani
| Supreme Court directive says all such structures should be removed by December 31, 2010 |
— Photos: K. Murali Kumar and K. Gopinathan 
THE LAW SHOULD PREVAIL:People are aware that if these shrines are removed, it is they who will benefit. The law of the land has to be followed, says Deputy Commissioner (Urban)
Bangalore: Walking in any part of the city, one cannot miss the numerous shrines that dot the roads, pavements, markets and even bus stops/ stands. Many start as ant-hills daubed with vermillion, turmeric and flowers; or a small framed photograph resting against a tree, perhaps, of an idol or a shrine. And, they soon metamorphose into full-fledged, “pucca” shrines. While they actually cause inconvenience to pedestrians and vehicles, the authorities fail to act against them until they are too big and powerful to deal with.
This is now set to change. Following a Supreme Court directive, the State Government has ordered the removal of all unauthorised shrines, including temples, churches, mosques, gurudwaras and other religious structures by the end of this year (December 31).
As per the Government direction, the district administration has identified unauthorised shrines.
On the last count, there are over 650 shrines in Bangalore Urban district (including BBMP limits) that have come up on minor and major roads, encroaching upon public places and government lands. The authorities will soon take action to either demolish these structures summarily or regularise them.
Deputy Commissioner (Urban) M.K. Ayyappa told The Hindu that there were 75 shrines — 72 temples, three churches and two mosques — on roads, parks and other public places in the Bangalore Urban district alone, and the remaining are within the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits.
The authorities, however, are doubly careful not to tread on any religious sentiments.
They are quick to add that while the list includes all shrines in public places, some may not really be obstructing either vehicular or pedestrian movement.
“In such cases, we will regularise the shrines and hand them over to the Muzrai and Endowments Department. We have regularised over 40 shrines,” Mr. Ayyappa said.
He also said that if the shrines are to be demolished, the authorities will ensure that the idols and other religious property are transferred to authorised/ regularised shrines.
He maintained that thus far, there was not much opposition to the Supreme Court decision. He attributed that to the general awareness among people.
“People are aware that if these shrines are removed, it is they who will benefit. The law of the land has to be followed,” he added.
Unauthorised shrines
Meanwhile, 575 unauthorised shrines have been identified in the eight zones of the BBMP. There are 442 temples, 95 churches and 38 mosques, of which 220 are on government, gomala property and 181 in parks, roads and other public places.
BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah agreed that without public cooperation, removal of unauthorised and illegal shrines would not be possible. “Practical difficulties that are on the field cannot be overcome with force. Force should be the last resort. We have to convince people first by making them aware of the Supreme Court ruling and the subsequent Government Order,” he said.
He said that the authorities also have the responsibility of identifying an alternative place/ space for re-location of the shrine, if there is opposition and get people to agree to it. “We have not yet started demolishing the structures. We will direct officials to demolish it in a befitting manner to ensure that the religious sentiments are not hurt. We may consider giving them time to finish the rituals, if any,” he added.
Mr. Siddaiah said that though religion cannot be above law, the civic authority cannot invite the wrath of the people. Law is the same for everybody of every faith, but the BBMP is vested with the responsibility of bringing in regulations to ensure that the structures are brought under the ambit of law.
About the increasing number of shrines on private property, he said that any shrine is essentially a structure. All structures within the BBMP jurisdiction have to follow the law (i.e., building bye-laws) and must have building plans. “We cannot approve of lawlessness just because it is a religious shrine. The structures on private property can be regularised through Akrama-Sakrama scheme,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mujibullah Zaffari, Deputy Commissioner (Estates), admitted that not all unauthorised shrines need to be demolished. “We will demolish only those which create public nuisance,” he said.
About the shrines on private property, he said the onus was on the Town Planning Department to monitor it while granting permission. The authorities must look into various factors, including purpose of use. Admitting that there were no specific rules for religious institutions, he said that the authorities may impose conditions while granting permission after looking into the nature of construction.
