Maharashtra: Demolition Notice To Dadar Hanuman Temple Stayed Amid Row, CM Fadnavis Says Govt To ‘Regularise’ It

The ruling party leaders' remark came a day after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at the BJP over the notice.

File photo of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Source : PTI

BJP leaders on Saturday announced that the Railways' demolition notice for a temple near Mumbai’s Dadar station has been stayed, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stating that it would be regularised in accordance with the rules.

"Court in an order had categorised temples, and as per that order, old temples can be regularised . We will certainly find some solution to this issue after speaking with the railway administration. Whatever we can do as per rules to regularise the temple, we will do it, "Fadnavis told ANI.

Pune, Maharashtra: On the Mumbai Hanuman Temple controversy, CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Court in an order had categorised temples, and as per that order, old temples can be regularised ... We will certainly find some solution to this issue after speaking with the railway… pic.twitter.com/nsQ8pNx7Om

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

According to a report by PTI, the ruling party leaders' remark came a day after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at the BJP over the notice. BJP legislator Mangal Prabhat Lodha assured that the Dadar Hanuman temple would be protected.

Lodha paid his visit to the shrine near Platform No. 12 at Dadar East, adjacent to the Central Railway station where he interacted with the temple trustees and joined the ‘aarti’. MLA Kalidas Kolambkar and representatives from the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad were also present. Lodha said he had discussed the matter with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who issued an order to halt the demolition.

On Friday, Thackeray accused the Railways of issuing a ‘fatwa’ to demolish the 80-year-old Hanuman temple built by porters, mocking the BJP’s slogan, “ek hai to safe hai”, by saying even temples aren’t safe under their governance.

After the response, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray told ANI on Saturday, "Yesterday Uddhav Thackeray exposed the fake Hindutva of BJP, Election Hindutva of BJP. Railway dismissed the Notice given to Dadar Mandir. Today we are going to Dadar Mandir."

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray says, "Yesterday Uddhav Thackeray exposed the fake Hindutva of BJP, Election Hindutva of BJP. Railway dismissed the Notice given to Dadar Mandir...Today we are going to Dadar Mandir." pic.twitter.com/uveEynUpFP

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Speaking to reporters after visiting the temple, Lodha, who represents Malabar Hill, said the BJP-led governments at both the Centre and state level are attentive to concerns about Hindutva and public sentiment. “We understand the sentiments of the Hindu community regarding this temple, and I assure you that no harm will come to this sacred place. Since we learnt about the situation, BJP leaders, and Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers have all been in contact with railway minister Vaishnaw,” he said.

BJP leaders emphasised that they have made every effort to protect the temple and would continue to do so. “Any attempt to politicise religious sentiments has been thwarted before it could succeed, and we have successfully saved the temple,” he asserted.

Railways' Notice Against Temple

A December 4 notice from the Railways had labelled the temple as an unauthorised structure on its property, citing obstruction to commuter and vehicular movement as well as ongoing infrastructure projects at Dadar station. The Railways had given a seven-day deadline for its removal. Lodha confirmed that the notice has been stayed.

Fadnavis answered about the temple, at the ‘Pune Book Festival 2024’, stating, “The process of classification of temples is underway. Ancient temples are preserved. The issue of Dadar Hanuman temple will be discussed with the railway administration and a solution will be found. We will regularise it as per the rules.”

On Saturday, Fadnavis' party colleague and former MP Kirit Somaiya also paid their visit to the temple. He informed trustees that the railway officials had assured him of no action against the temple.

Hitting out at Thackeray, Somaiya said referring to the arrest of former MP Navneet Rana in Mumbai two years ago that those who put devotees of the deity in jail for chanting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ eventually would have to end up surrendering before Lord Hanuman. “He has accepted Sajjad Nomani, Ulema board, Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh and ‘vote jihad’ and should stay committed to them,” Somaiya said.

Former Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale stated that he had written to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting that a similar demolition notice had been issued a few years ago but was halted following his intervention. Shewale urged the minister to resolve the issue permanently, emphasising the temple's popularity among local residents.