United for Mahavirji Mandir Forum Will Go To Any Length To
As reported in the earlier issues of Samvada that many structures (built with donations from the devotees) have been demolished in the last one and a half years. These structures are the Dharamshala (comprising of 25 rooms), dispensary, a toilet block, staff quaters to name a few.
The number of cows (donated by devotees) in the Gaushala has shrunk to less than half. The Manager is refusing booking for the air conditioned hall which has been locked.
The GKRA had sent a letter to the temple authorities in October last year. They were called to a meeting and assured that no further changes would be made without consulting the GKRA. Nevertheless, rampant demolition continues.
Two eminent residents of GK, Dr Reeta Mahesh and Preeti Jindal got together in August, 2023 and started to look at options for saving the temple. Ever since, they have been working under the guidance of Alok Kumar, international president, VHP, who is also an eminent lawyer. They have written letters to the Mahavirji Trust Regd., mobilized and educated people about the ownership of the Mahavirji Temple. It does not belong to an individual; rather it is a public property as it was built through donations on the land donated by late Ch.Raghvendra Singh of DLF, in the early sixties. Ever since, the mandir atop a hillock has been a landmark of GK and place of worship and solace to its residents.
Besides the above,these ladies, alongwith a few other residents , VHP leaders and Corporator Shikha Rai, have held a meeting with one of the trustees of the Shree Mahavirji Trust Regd. This trustee assured all of them that she would discuss the matter with the rest of the trustees and revert the following week, but alas, four weeks have passed and the trustees are incommunicado. A large portion of the boundary wall of the temple has been broken, which the manager claims, was damaged by rain.
There were plans to demolish the Yagyashala but when some devotees confronted the manager, he assured them (on record) that it was being repaired and not demolished.
Devotees have noticed that a large part of the temple land has been encroached upon by the neighbouring school. All this right under the nose of the Shree Mahavirji Trust?
In his reply, to the first letter sent by the two ladies, the Secretary of the Trust had assured that the demolished toilet block would be reconstructed by the 30th June, 2024.
The two crusaders have written another letter to the trustees and sent copies to the Prime minister’s office, L G office, MCD Commissioner, DDA and other officials in the hope that at least some authority will take cognisance and come to their rescue. Alongwith Shalini Modi, these two have started an online petition to save the Mahavirji Mandir, which has gathered more than a thousand signatures and counting.
The United group is requesting for simple actions like NO more demolition, rebuild the demolished structures, open the AC hall and allow bookings, local representation in the trust to run the temple activities with transparency and efficiently. United for Mahavirji Mandir forum is eager to assist physically and financially to restore the mandir to its original glory. These devotees will go to any length to achieve their objective.
