Temple pond row triggers tension in Old Hubballi, 200 activists detained | Hubballi News
Hubballi: Tension prevailed in Asar Oni, Old Hubballi, on Saturday as Hindu organisations staged a protest against the construction of a road over the pond of the historic Bhavani Shankar temple, while Muslim and dalit groups opposed any move to remove it.The rally was led by Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik, MLAs Mahesh Tenginakai and Arvind Bellad, MLC Pradeep Shettar and other leaders. Protesters alleged that the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) had illegally constructed the road on the temple pond despite objections from devotees.They claimed the Bhavani Shankar temple dates back to the Kalyana Chalukya era and is protected by the state archaeology department. Referring to historical records, including the Bombay Gazetteer, they argued that the pond is an integral part of the heritage structure and demanded its restoration. They warned of intensifying the agitation if the road is not removed.The issue has become sensitive as the road lies between the Bhavani Shankar temple and a mosque. After protesters threatened to remove the road, Muslim and Dalit organisations asserted that they would not allow any such action.Anticipating trouble, police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS and barricaded key roads leading to Asar Oni. More than 1,500 police personnel, including eight KSRP platoons and senior officers, were deployed in the area. Restrictions were imposed within a 500-metre radius of the temple, while police commissioner N Shashi Kumar monitored the situation on the ground.Condemning the restrictions, right-wing activists staged a dharna at Channapet Dhobi Ghat Garden. Police later detained over 200 activists, including MLAs, to prevent any escalation of tensions.
