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News Topical, Digital Desk : Controversy has erupted following a notice to demolish the ancient Balaji Temple located near the Khereshwar Temple in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. The Shri Balaji Shakti Mandir Seva Samiti has issued a clear warning to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) that any attempt to tamper with or remove the temple will result in a massive public movement.
Following the committee's stance, administrative circles have become increasingly agitated, and the matter is now becoming increasingly sensitive. The temple committee states that this Balaji temple was established before 2008 and is a major center of faith for thousands of devotees in the area.
This temple is the main landmark of the area
According to locals, the temple is not only a religious site but also a center of social and cultural activities. Therefore, the decision to demolish it hurts people's sentiments. The committee presented several legal and administrative arguments in its favor. They state that when the land was acquired for the national highway, the Section 3G Award issued at the time clearly stated that only a limited portion of the temple was subject to acquisition.
It was also stated that the matter would be resolved through mutual agreement between the temple committee and the relevant authority. The committee alleges that the NHAI is currently ignoring these conditions.
High Court decision cited
Furthermore, the committee cited a Supreme Court ruling that directed that religious structures built before 2009 not be demolished without due process. The committee claims that this temple is neither illegal nor encroached upon, but rather sits on private land. Therefore, the action of removing it by labeling it an "illegal occupation" is completely unjustified.
The committee also pointed out that in 2012, a case was filed in court regarding this very issue, and NHAI was forced to back down, recognizing their position as correct. Despite this, raising the same issue again and taking action is tantamount to harassing the committee.
NHAIissued notice under section 26
Currently, the NHAI has issued a notice under Section 26, initiating the process of removing the temple. The temple committee has strongly protested this. Committee officials state that they are not opposed to development work and that the construction of the national highway is necessary for the region, but that hurting religious sentiments in the name of development is unacceptable.
The committee suggested alternatives
The committee has also proposed an alternative solution. They suggest that the temple could be protected by constructing a pillar-based flyover. They argue that similar solutions have been adopted in many parts of the country, where development work has been completed while preserving religious sites. Therefore, a similar approach could be adopted in Aligarh.
The temple committee has also submitted a memorandum to the district administration regarding this issue, which has been addressed to the Chief Minister. The committee has demanded that an impartial investigation be conducted before any action is taken, and a decision be made after hearing all parties. The matter is now pending in court. The hearing is ongoing in the Aligarh District Court, further complicating the situation. Until the court's final decision is reached, uncertainty remains regarding any action.
He has also met Nitin Gadkari
The temple committee also stated that it had attempted to escalate the matter to higher levels. On April 21, 2026, a delegation from the committee met with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. Following this meeting, his office directed the regional office in Lucknow to re-examine the matter from a technical perspective.
However, despite this, NHAI Project Director Lieutenant Colonel Ajit Yadav informed the district administration that the temple committee has not taken any action to remove the temple itself despite the notice. The committee stated that such pressure is inappropriate when the matter is pending in court and efforts are underway to resolve the matter.
Locals are also expressing anger over this issue. Several social organizations and religious groups have voiced their support for the temple committee. They say that if the administration takes any coercive action, they will stage large-scale protests. While no clear statement has yet been issued by the administration, sources say that the situation is being monitored and necessary steps will be taken to maintain law and order.
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