The initiative aims to reclaim and revive forgotten temples but raises concerns over communal tensions
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW – Kanpur Mayor Pramila Pandey has launched a campaign to restore and reclaim 125 temples in the city, particularly in Muslim-majority areas. The initiative, led by the mayor herself, aims to recover temples that have been abandoned, are in dilapidated conditions, or have been illegally occupied. However, the campaign has sparked controversy, with concerns raised about its potential to create communal tensions.
The Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has compiled a list of 125 temples that require attention. Many of them, according to the corporation’s records, have deteriorated over time, some are in ruins, and others have lost their idols. These temples were once places of worship but have fallen into neglect and disrepair, prompting the drive to restore them to their former state.
Pramila Pandey, who is personally overseeing the restoration effort, emphasised that the goal of the campaign was purely to preserve the temples for religious and cultural reasons. “I only want to restore the forgotten temples of Hindus so that worship can resume. It’s important to protect and revive these places of worship,” she said on Monday. She also added, “My intention is not to hurt anyone’s sentiments. I want the temples that have disappeared or turned into ruins to be found and restored.”
As part of the campaign, Pandey and municipal officials visited various sites, including Hiramani Ka Purva, where they identified temples lying in severe states of disrepair. Many of the idols inside these temples were reportedly broken, and some temples had collapsed. Pandey examined the structures with the officials and announced plans to clean the temples and install gates to prevent further damage or illegal occupation.
“We will make sure that the temples are well-maintained, with proper gates, cleanliness, and pathways for regular worship. This will ensure that they cannot be re-occupied,” Pandey stated.
Despite the mayor’s reassurances, the initiative has drawn strong opposition from Muslim religious leaders, who are concerned that the restoration drive could potentially disrupt communal harmony in the city. Local clerics have voiced their fears that such actions may create tension between Hindus and Muslims in the area, as it could be perceived as encroaching on Muslim-dominated spaces.
A prominent Muslim cleric in the area expressed concerns, saying, “The drive to search for temples could create unnecessary tension between the two communities. We have requested the police to impose restrictions on such activities to maintain peace and harmony.”
A group of Muslim leaders has also submitted a memorandum to the Commissionerate Office, urging the administration to take a balanced approach in handling the restoration campaign. The memorandum stressed the importance of preserving communal peace and avoiding actions that could lead to unrest.
While the campaign has received support from some members of the Hindu community, who see it as an important step in reviving religious heritage, the mayor’s efforts to restore temples in Muslim-majority areas have triggered a larger debate about religious sensitivities and communal relations in Uttar Pradesh.
Kanpur, like many cities in India, has experienced instances of communal tension in the past, and any activity perceived as favouring one community over another can quickly escalate into conflict. The mayor’s assurance that the campaign is not aimed at hurting sentiments will be crucial in determining whether this initiative can succeed without causing division among local residents.
The authorities are now faced with the challenge of ensuring that the restoration drive proceeds in a way that maintains communal harmony and avoids conflict. The police and local administration will need to play an active role in monitoring the situation and ensuring that the campaign remains peaceful and within the bounds of law.
As the restoration campaign progresses, both religious and political leaders will likely continue to weigh in on its implications for the city’s communal dynamics. While the mayor’s intentions may be to preserve heritage, the delicate nature of the task suggests that careful consideration and dialogue are essential to ensure that it does not inadvertently foster tensions between different communities.
The success of this initiative will depend on the ability of the city’s leaders and residents to strike a balance between religious preservation and maintaining peace, ensuring that the campaign serves its intended purpose without exacerbating existing divides.
