Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Idols Stolen from 300 Years Old Hindu Temple

Historic Hindu temple facing demolition in Pakistan

A historic Hindu temple at Rawalpindi in Pakistan is facing demolition to make way for barracks for soldiers. The temple has existed from pre-partition era (creation of separate country Pakistan for Muslims). The temple along with a Hindu graveyard and 53 single-room houses could be demolished at the site. 

Zee News reports the following about this news [Link]: 

"Built in 1935, Maharishi Walmeck Sawami Jee Temple popularly known as Balaknash Temple is located at Gracy Lines of Chaklala, which falls in the municipal jurisdiction of military-managed Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.

The decision has caused anger among the Hindus as the temple is centre of religious activities of the small community in Rawalpindi, about 25 km from here.

A Hindu resident, Ashok Chand, told media that the temple and the houses were legally built before partition and there was no reason to demolish them.

"We refused to go to India and decided to stay in Jinnah's Pakistan, now our homes and sacred temple are being bulldozed. Are not we Pakistanis or at least humans?" he said.

About 60 Hindu families live in Rawalpindi which had a thriving Hindu population before the partition."

We hope the plan to demolish the temple and other structures belonging to Hindus is scrapped and Hindus are allowed their right of worship and practicing their religion. 

Tension after removal of loudspeaker from temple

All over India, prayers are offered from Muslim places of worship by loud speakers. Even in localities where majority of population are Hindus or non-Muslims, we find small structure or house from whose roof-top such loud speakers broadcast prayers in a language which most do not understand and several times a day. Even though this causes inconvenience to the population, this practice has been going on for a long time without Hindus protesting against this custom. In this light, it is surprising that Muslims should protest against loud speakers being used in Hindu temples in localities where they are majority. Below news item tells about such a sad news. We hope the police and the government allow the loudspeaker in the temple, otherwise at least treat each religion on the same standards. If Hindu temples in predominantly Muslim areas can't keep loudspeakers, then is it fine for Muslim places of worship keeping loudspeakers in areas dominated by Hindus?

UP: BJP calls mahapanchayat against removal of loudspeaker from temple

Express News Service | Lucknow | July 1, 2014 2:18 am

Tension started brewing in the area after police removed the loudspeaker from a temple in Akbarpur Chendri village of the district on Thursday. Protesting against the action, a large number of shops in the local market have remained closed since Friday and a group of locals, including some right-wing organisation members, clashed with the police in Kanth town the same day during a road blockade against the removal of the loudspeaker. Later, 19 people were booked for attacking the policemen.

BJP’s leader Bhupendra Singh claimed the loudspeaker has been at the temple for last 40 years and was removed at the behest of the Peace Party MLA.

Complete news: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/up-bjp-calls-mahapanchayat-against-removal-of-loudspeaker-from-temple/