Historic Balaji Temple Evacuation Sparks Protest by Local Traders

Humnabad: The historically significant Balaji Temple in Humnabad has reportedly been assessed as requiring immediate attention, with concerns raised over the safety of parts of the ground floor and first floor. Demanding urgent action, local traders voluntarily shut their shops and staged a protest, raising slogans against the government and concerned authorities while singing devotional bhajans.

On Sunday morning, members of the Balaji Temple Seva Trust reportedly moved to begin the proposed evacuation of the temple’s first floor. The Trust alleged that the police and revenue authorities were giving different explanations regarding the matter. Following a shutdown call by local traders, several shopkeepers voluntarily closed their establishments and joined the protest.

Earlier, on August 2, the Trust conducted religious rituals, including Homa, Havan and Uttara Puja, as part of preparations for the proposed evacuation. On August 8, a memorandum seeking the evacuation and reconstruction of the historic Balaji Temple was submitted at the MLA’s Bhavan to Tahsildar Jagadish Chaur, Municipal Chief Officer Vanitabhai and MLA Dr. Siddalingappa Patil.

As the Trust moved forward with plans to remove the reportedly damaged first-floor roof, the issue intensified.

Speaking to the protesters, Tahsildar Jagadish Chaur stated that the Balaji Temple comes under the jurisdiction of the Muzrai Department, which is responsible for its administration and maintenance. He said that if the temple is under the control of the Balaji Temple Seva Trust, the Trust should produce the relevant documents. Based on those records, appropriate action regarding the evacuation of the temple would be taken, he said.

Temple Secretary Gopalakrishna Mohale demanded that records relating to other temples in the taluk also be provided before questioning the documents concerning the Balaji Temple. He also discussed with the Tahsildar matters concerning the evacuation and construction work related to the Sri Veerabhadreshwar Temple.

Balaji Temple Seva Trust President Rajareddy Mehekar, Secretary Gopalakrishna Mohale, Chandrakant Javali, Mahantesh Pujari, Mallikarjun Marur, and several local traders and women participated in the protest.

Ravikumar Bhure, Veeresh Sigi, Om Pol, Veeresh Shilavant, Pavan Dubey, Mahadev Gauli, Ramesh Gauli, along with several women and local business owners, were also present.

The protesters are demanding immediate steps to ensure the safety of the historic temple and greater clarity from the authorities regarding its proposed evacuation and reconstruction.