Protest erupts in Bangalore University over construction of Ganesha temple inside the campus

A row has erupted in Bangalore University over construction of Ganesh temple inside the campus. Students and teachers of Bangalore University (BU) have been staging a protest for the past three days against the place chosen for construction of the temple.

The students have been alleging that the ruling BJP government is trying to saffronise the university campus by allowing the construction of a Ganesha temple inside the campus.

"The new place should be identified somewhere in a campus corner, not at a prime location like next to the admin block. A temple at the prime spot will harm the study environment and may lead to more problems of communal nature. Students of other religions may demand their own prayer halls. There have been previous court orders saying no religious structures should be built in any public-run institutions," ToI quoted Lokesh Ram, student association vice-president as saying.


The temple, which had earlier existed opposite the Jnanabharathi community hall inside the campus, was demolished by the municipality authorities for grade separator work. It is now being built opposite the police station as per an understanding between the university and BBMP.

The university officials have filed a police complaint against the protesting students.

The agitating students allege that it was an attempt to saffronise the campus and implement a "hidden agenda" by ruling BJP. The students said the UGC guidelines and law did not permit the construction of places of religious worship like temple, church and mosque.

In response to this, the university officials said the Ganesha temple, which was there near the entrance, was demolished for road widening a few years ago. The Bangalore University had decided to shift the temple elsewhere inside the campus.