Gujarat : Locals Protest Demolition of Temple Wall During Road Widening Project

Ahmedabad : The Viratnagar office of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) faced protests on Monday after locals staged a ‘gherao’ against the demolition of a compound wall belonging to a temple. The incident occurred during a road-widening project undertaken by the civic body.

The demolition, which was part of an effort to remove illegal encroachments, sparked outrage among residents and local leaders. Sahezad Pathan, the leader of the opposition, visited the site and expressed strong disapproval of the AMC’s actions.

“The Mamadev Temple in Viratnagar was demolished by AMC officials without any prior notice or intimation,” alleged Pathan. “They barged into the temple premises while devotees were engaged in worship. We have demanded strict action against the responsible AMC official, including suspension.”

However, the AMC presented a contrasting viewpoint. Pankaj Bhut, the assistant municipal commissioner of the east zone, clarified that the demolition only targeted a recently constructed structure that was obstructing traffic flow.

“The AMC is currently constructing a road near Sadguru Garden in Viratnagar,” explained Bhut. “A part of a temple structure that was built in 2016 and wasn’t an active part of the temple itself, was hindering traffic flow. We have only removed the encroaching portion, ensuring no harm is caused to the main temple.”

The conflicting narratives highlight the delicate balance between infrastructure development and preserving religious sites. While the AMC emphasizes the necessity of the road widening project, locals remain agitated about the perceived disrespect towards their place of worship.