BRS Leader Harish Rao Slams Congress Government Over Temple Land Dispute in Hyderabad
Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao has launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in Telangana, accusing it of attempting to take over land legally allotted to the Visakha Sri Sarada Peetham and demolish the Rajashyamala temple located at Kokapet Neopolis in Hyderabad. The controversy erupted after police and revenue officials reportedly conducted a late-night inspection of the temple premises and asked authorities to vacate the land.
Late-Night Inspection Sparks Controversy
Harish Rao visited the temple following reports that police and revenue officials had inspected the premises late at night and directed temple authorities to vacate the land. After his visit, the former minister addressed the media and accused the government of creating unnecessary fear among devotees through its actions.
"The government is targeting this temple land in the name of constructing waterwork facilities," Harish Rao stated. "This is completely unjustified when 17 acres of government land are available in nearby survey numbers 239 and 240 that could easily be used for such projects."
Legal Land Allotment and Temple Construction
The BRS leader provided detailed background about the land allocation, explaining that in 2019, the then BRS government had legally allotted two acres of land in survey number 240 at Kokapet to Visakha Sharada Peetham with proper cabinet approval. The peetham paid Rs 1.05 crore for registration and an additional Rs 23 lakh to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) for necessary permissions and an electricity connection.
On this legally acquired land, a temple dedicated to Goddess Rajashyamala was constructed along with several ancillary facilities including:
- A goshala (cow shelter)
- An annadanam hall (community kitchen)
- A veda pathashala (traditional school for Vedic studies)
The consecration ceremony was conducted in the presence of high court judges and government officials, and regular prayers have been held at the temple since its establishment.
Allegations of Irregular Land Allotments
Harish Rao made serious allegations about land management in the same area, claiming that 17 acres of land had been allotted to Bhagyalakshmi Mines and Minerals through nomination rather than public auction. "Instead of auctioning the land and generating revenue for the government, it was allotted through nomination," he alleged.
The former minister further claimed that crusher units and ready-mix plants had been permitted in violation of established norms, raising questions about the government's priorities and adherence to regulations.
Religious Sentiments Under Attack
Harish Rao described the incident as an attack on religious sentiments, revealing that police had stopped temple rituals in the morning and only allowed prayers to resume after protests by the priests. "This is not just about land; this is about attacking the religious sentiments of devotees," he emphasized.
Demands for Government Action
The senior BRS leader made two key demands to the Congress government:
- Immediately withdraw any move to demolish the Rajashyamala temple
- Cancel the alleged illegal permissions granted for crusher units in the area
Harish Rao's strong condemnation of the government's actions has brought this temple land dispute into the political spotlight, with the BRS positioning itself as a defender of religious institutions against what it characterizes as government overreach.
