Will Ayodhya temples be demolished?

FAIZABAD: Ayodhya Municipal Corporation has issued final notice for restoration or demolition of very old and dilapidated building, including temples, to their owners and managements, sparking a furore among locals and seers.

There are about 200 temples in Ayodhya that are weak and unsafe and pose a threat to public safety. The corporation has served the final notice to 173 old structures most of them being temples, part of temples, dharamshalas and shelter homes for devotees. The corporation has asked the owners and managements to repair the unsafe structures or else it will demolish them and recover demolition charges from them as per rules. Additional municipal commissioner Sachchidanand Singh told TOI, "We have issued notices to unsafe buildings on the verge of collapsing. Our list has 173 buildings, including temples. Some people have sought time for repairs while six residential buildings have already been demolished by us. We are reviewing each case and will take action after 15 days."

Assistant municipal commissioner Vinay Mani Tripathi said, "The final notices were issued on December 6 and 15 days' time has been given for action."

Chief priest of Ramjanmabhoomi temple Acharya Satyendra Das said, "The state government should repair the ancient temples which have become unsafe." Ram Chandra, member of Matiya Mandir committee, said, "This temple is about 500 years old and has idols of Lord Ram and Hanuman. We don't have money for its maintenance. Demolishing such an ancient temple won't be a good decision. The government must extend some help." Ram Sajivan Das of Patthar Mandir in Vasudev Ghat said, "As per our knowledge, this temple is 400-500 years old. The government should help save our heritage." Jugal Kishore Sharan Shastry, Mahant of Saryu Kunj temple, said "You can find 200 temples in Ayodhya which are on verge of collapse." "Whether the structures are protected or not, they are a part of the heritage ecosystem of the temple town. Therefore, municipal body must take help of agencies like state archaeology or Archaeological Survey of India before going ahead with demolition," said M A Khan, retired assistant superintendent archaeological engineer, ASI.