Supporters raze 'Modi Temple' after PM rap

RAJKOT: As a "saddened and appalled" Prime Minister Narendra Modi today deprecated construction of a temple dedicated to him in his home state Gujarat, those behind the move demolished the structure.

Members of the 'Om Yuva Group' and the locals pulled down the newly built temple three days before it was to be inaugurated after Modi expressed his displeasure, their leader Ramesh Undhad said.

"After the Prime Minister's statement, we had removed his idol but now we have pulled down the entire construction," he told.

The temple on Kotharia Road in the city had cost Rs 7 lakh to build and was to be inaugurated on February 15.

Earlier in the day, Modi had said he was shocked by reports of a temple dedicated to him coming up in Gujarat.

"Have seen the news about a temple being built in my name. I was appalled. This is shocking & against India's great traditions.

"Building such temples is not what our culture teaches us. Personally, it made me very sad. Would urge those doing it not to do it," Modi said in a series of tweets.

As the message hit home quick, Undhad said the group was "pained" for hurting the sentiments of "our God (Modi)" and initially covered his bust kept in the sanctum before removing it from there. They also said an idol of 'Bharat Mata' would replace that of Modi's. However, they finally decided to pull down the entire structure.

The Kothariya gram panchayat had donated a 350 sq yard plot to the group about ten years back for construction of a 'Bharat Mata' temple. But, the group later decided to build a temple dedicated to Modi.