Hyderabad: After 45 years of waiting, government officials have finally taken steps to protect the historic Prachina Venugopala Swamy Temple in the Old City of Hyderabad.
This action came after Yamuna Pathak, a well-known temple protection activist and convener of the citizen group ‘Jagore’, began a hunger strike at the temple on Saturday. In response, officials from the Endowment Department, Revenue Department, and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) visited the temple and urged her to end the fast.
Pathak agreed to withdraw her hunger strike after receiving assurances from the authorities. However, she warned that the protest would resume if no real action was taken.
Her protest highlighted the illegal occupation of temple land by land grabbers. For the last two years, she has led legal and public efforts to reclaim temple property and protect heritage sites.
On Saturday, many devotees, along with spiritual leaders like Sadhus and Sanyasis, gathered at the temple to support her. The event included religious chants and emphasized the temple’s cultural and spiritual value.
Pathak pointed out that several court rulings, including those from the City Civil Court and Telangana High Court, confirmed that the temple land belongs to the State Endowment Department and not private owners. Yet, she expressed disappointment that the government had not taken action to enforce these rulings.
She said, “All documents—court rulings, revenue records, and layout plans—have been submitted to officials, but still, land grabbers continue their activities without fear.”
She also criticized the government’s lack of action, questioning if the Old City was being treated differently. “Are we in India, or is this Pakistan or Bangladesh?” she asked, expressing her frustration with the authorities.
Pathak began her fast after the temple priest reportedly received death threats from the encroachers. Although GHMC and police officials visited the site, she claimed they did not take firm steps. Endowment officials also visited and promised action, but she doubted their sincerity after one official said they couldn’t act on a Sunday.
“This kind of delay from the bureaucracy is not acceptable,” she said. “If illegal buildings can be demolished overnight in other areas, why not here?”
Locals and devotees also accused encroachers of using fake documents to get official house numbers and utility connections, making their claims seem legal.
Pathak emphasized that her protest was not based on religion but was a fight for justice. “People from all communities—Hindus, Muslims, and even former IAS and IPS officers—are supporting us. This is about protecting public institutions,” she said.
She made a direct appeal to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and senior officials to take strong action. “We are not asking for favors. We are demanding justice. The government must stop these land grabbers. If not, the protest will continue,” she warned.
Following these developments, GHMC officials and other departments have promised to take action against the illegal occupation of the temple land and issue notices to the encroachers.
