In Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city, a major controversy has erupted in the Danilimda ward over the alleged destruction of ancient Hindu temples to make way for illegal residential construction.

The temples were located opposite Mewati ki Chalini, an area that locals say has witnessed sustained tension for years over this issue. According to residents, these were Puranic-era Hindu temples, and their demolition has deeply hurt religious sentiments and triggered widespread anger.

Local Hindus state that despite repeated objections and the clear presence of a law-and-order situation, permission was granted to Muslim individuals to construct residential flats directly over the temple land. As part of this process, two ancient Hindu temples were demolished, and a multi-storey building was raised in their place. Complaints regarding this alleged illegal construction were submitted multiple times to the local municipal corporation, but residents claim that no corrective action was taken at the time.

While most of the temples in the area are reported to have been demolished, one ancient Hindu temple still exists within the newly constructed building. This remaining temple is now enclosed inside a structure where all the flats are owned by Muslim families, a fact that has further intensified resentment among local Hindus. They say that the presence of the temple within a private residential complex has effectively restricted access and regular worship.

Angered by this situation, local Hindu residents approached the municipal corporation and later the collector’s office, submitting formal complaints and representations. However, they allege that their concerns were ignored for years. It was only after a detailed complaint was escalated to Gandhinagar that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel took cognisance of the issue and ordered an investigation into the matter.

Following the Chief Minister’s directive, local Hindus have expressed hope that the government will act swiftly. They are demanding that the illegally constructed flats and buildings be demolished and that the temple be freed and restored. Media teams also visited the location, conducted ground-level investigations, and interacted with residents to understand the full extent of the controversy.

The roots of this dispute go back several years. In 2016, the municipal authorities permitted the construction of flats on the peak of the ancient Jogni Mata temple. A builder named Sakir Ahmed had submitted the building plan to the corporation, and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation approved it. Even at that time, local Hindus strongly opposed the move, warning that it would damage a sacred site. Despite these protests, no action was taken. Now, years later, the same issue has resurfaced, prompting Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to order a formal investigation.

‘We Have Been Fighting for Years’: Local Hindus Speak Out on Temple Encroachment

Speaking to the media, local residents revealed that the illegally constructed building is called ‘Kabir Heights’, and that all the flats inside it are occupied by Muslim families. One local resident said that while it is reassuring that the Chief Minister has finally taken note of the issue, the struggle has been going on for years. He explained that Hindus have consistently opposed the illegal construction on the temple site and have submitted several complaints at the local level, but no solution was provided for a long time.

Another resident shared historical details of the area, stating that many years ago there was a village well at this location, from which the area derived its name. Inside this village well stood a temple of Mataji. Over time, he said, the temple structure was altered improperly and later encroached upon. He demanded that the entire illegal construction be removed so that the sacred site can be restored to its original state.

The BJP president of Danilimda also spoke to the media and confirmed that the issue had been under discussion for a long period. He said that there had been years of dialogue, struggle, and formal petitions filed at various offices. Keeping this long history of complaints in mind, he said, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered an investigation. Local Hindus expressed confidence that the Chief Minister’s intervention would finally bring justice to both the people and the temples. Many residents also publicly expressed gratitude to the BJP government led by Bhupendra Patel.

Residents further pointed out that the spire of the temple was once clearly visible from the middle of the building. However, for a long time now, boards have been deliberately placed in such a manner that the spire is hidden from view. Videos from the site show that nets have also been installed, which locals believe are meant to conceal the Hindu identity of the temple and prevent it from being noticed.

In Hindu belief, a temple is not just a structure made of stone or brick. A temple is considered the abode of the Deity, and the deity installed within it is consecrated, making it a living, sacred presence. Hindus believe that not only the idol but the entire temple premises are sacred, as the space is seen as filled with the divine energy of the deity. Because of this belief, any act that damages or disrespects a temple is viewed as an attack on the faith itself. Such actions are understood as being driven by hostility towards Hindu beliefs and are therefore considered religiously motivated hate crimes.

Hinduism places immense importance on religious symbols and icons. Murtis, symbols like Om and Swastika, and other sacred representations play a vital role in connecting spiritual belief with daily life. These icons are central to prayer, rituals, and offerings. Any desecration of these symbols is seen as an act rooted in animosity towards the faith. As such, defiling Hindu religious symbols or representations is regarded as a religiously motivated hate crime.

Sanatan Dharma is not based on a single religious book. Instead, it consists of ancient scriptures, customs, and traditions passed down over thousands of years, often orally from generation to generation. These traditions differ across regions and sects but are deeply important to those who follow them. Practices such as dietary restrictions, abstaining from non-vegetarian food during certain periods, avoiding beef, and maintaining ritual purity within the home are integral to many Hindu communities. Any deliberate action that violates or disrespects these traditions, especially due to hostility or ideological activism, reflects a disregard for the faith and its followers. Such violations are therefore seen as religiously motivated hate crimes.

In this case, the temples were not merely buildings but sacred spaces of immense cultural and spiritual value. The demolition of two temples, the concealment of the spire of the remaining temple, and the illegal construction of flats over a sacred site demonstrate hostility toward Hindu religious practices and the community’s right to worship. For Hindus, a temple represents divine presence, and an attack on it is both material and symbolic, striking at the core of their faith and identity.

The issue extends beyond physical destruction. The deliberate concealment of the temple spire and the construction of residential flats exclusively for Muslim families over a sacred Hindu site reflect an attempt to erase Hindu presence from a place of worship. For Hindus, both the temple and its land are considered the abode of the deity. Any encroachment upon this land disrupts worship and violates religious rights. Such actions are not accidental but targeted, impacting the collective religious identity of the Hindu community.

Adding to this, the opening of meat shops directly in front of the temple has been described by locals as a provocative act that violates the sanctity of the area. Hindu temples are revered spaces, and placing such establishments nearby is seen as deliberate disrespect intended to offend religious sentiments. Residents believe this was done to mock Hindu beliefs and reflects deep-rooted animosity toward Hinduism. When viewed alongside illegal construction and encroachment, locals argue that these actions together form a pattern of hostility toward Hindu faith and culture, amounting to a religiously motivated hate crime against the Hindu community.