Temple in ruins
Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) – A Shiva temple located in a Muslim-dominated area of Muzaffarnagar has been discovered. The temple, constructed in 1970, fell into disrepair after the increasing Muslim population led to the exodus of Hindus from the region. Now, the administration has refocused its attention on this temple.
The Shiva temple was established 54 years ago in the Mohanlal Laddawala locality of the Nagar Kotwali area in Muzaffarnagar District. At the time of its construction, the area was predominantly Hindu. However, the situation changed in the 1990s during the height of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Riots and the growing Muslim population forced Hindus to leave the area. During this time, the Shiva idol and other religious artifacts were removed from the temple. Today, the temple lies in ruins.
‘The Government should restore the temple’ : BJP Leader Sudhir Khatik
BJP leader Sudhir Khatik, who was among those who migrated from the area, stated that in the 1990s, meat shops started opening in the locality, disrupting the religious environment. Consequently, Hindus removed the idols from the temple and reinstalled them elsewhere. Now, the temple and its surroundings have been encroached upon. He urged the Government to restore the temple, emphasizing that protecting religion and culture is the foundation of national security.