Moradabad: Hindu Temple In Muslim-Majority Area, Closed After 1980 Communal Riots, Restored By Uttar Pradesh Government

In the series of reopening and restoration of closed Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh, the district administration of Moradabad has reinstated a temple, thought to be a century old, which reportedly has been shut since 1980 due to the outbreak of communal violence in the city.

The Gauri Shankar Temple is located in the predominantly Muslim region of Nagfani in the city. While carrying out restoration work, the authorities unearthed the temple's inner sanctum, where they reportedly found some damaged idols of gods.

Currently, renovation efforts are in progress, with the intention of returning the temple to its “original state”. Meanwhile, a considerable number of people assembled at the temple on Monday (30 December) to observe its recommencement.

To avert any potential mishaps, law enforcement officers have been stationed at the location. Already, a complaint has been filed by a local alleging that he had faced "threats" each time he tried to "reopen the temple".

The whole situation started when a local named Seva Ram stated that his forefathers had been the priests and guardians of the temple. On 27 December, he lodged a complaint with the district administration and police and requested them to intervene.

He further accused that an individual who supposedly bought the house adjacent to the temple three years prior, had illegally encroached upon the land.

"My family, along with seven others (family), who lived near the temple, moved to a different location due to threats from residents of another community. After we left, the temple was abandoned," he added.

Upon receiving the complaint, Moradabad District Magistrate (DM) Anuj Singh instructed Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ram Mohan Meena to conduct an inspection of the site and carry out an investigation into the issue.

“We consulted members of all communities, and there was a consensus that the temple should be reopened. After receiving their agreement, we proceeded with the process," the SDM said on unlocking of the temple, which had been closed for a long time.

"The inner sanctum was excavated. Inside, we discovered broken statues of deities, as well as the Shivalay (Shiva Parivar). Renovation work is currently underway, and efforts are being made to restore the temple to its original form," he added.

Seva Ram has assisted the district administration in their restoration efforts by supplying them with a supposed 1950 map of the temple, Indian Express reported.