Stop demolition of ancient temples, religious leaders in Coimbatore urge TN government

Temples should not figure in the encroachments list; if the structure must go, then the State government could consult religious heads and look for ways to shift these temples, they said

The ongoing drive to demolish ancient temples with rich histories and legacies, in the name of removal of encroachments, will only result in people losing confidence in the State government, said religious leaders here on Tuesday. Over the last few days, the State government has embarked on a drive to demolish temples under the pretext of removal of encroachments, hurting the religious sentiments of the majority. In Coimbatore City alone, three temples on the banks of Muthannankulam have been demolished, they charged.While one of the temples is 100 years old, the other one was 125 years old.