Akbaruddin Owaisi, the Leader of Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly and the younger brother of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, has requested Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao to develop the Simhavauhini Mahankali Temple at Lal Darwaja in Hyderabad's Old City area. Akbaruddin Owaisi is an MLA of the state's legislative assembly, representing the Chandrayangutta constituency.
Akbaruddin Owaisi on Sunday met the Chief Minister KCR at Pragati Bhavan (The Chief Minister's official residence-cum-office) in Hyderabad and submitted a memorandum regarding the construction of the temple. The AIMIM leader reminded that the CM that Bonalu (a festival popular in Telangana) is held in this temple every year, and it is also known all over the world as the famous 'Lal Darwaja Bonalu'. Further, Owaisi highlighted the fact that due to a lack of space, the temple campus could not be developed, which, in turn, caused many problems for the devotees.
“Lal Darwaja Mahankali temple has more than a hundred years of history. During the Bonalu, lakhs of people offer prayers and Bonalu here. But the temple complex is situated in a 100 square yards area. Due to the narrow space, it is causing immense problems to lakhs of the devotees. There is a need to develop the temple and widen it at a cost of Rs 10 Crore. Also, with the expansion of the temple, people in the vicinity may lose properties. Compensate them by providing 800 square yards of land at Fareed Market, which is under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. Consider widening and development of the temple as a top priority work. This will be useful to the devotees,” Akbaruddin requested in his memorandum.
The AIMIM leader also reminded the KCR that he had offered a Golden Bonum at the Mahankali Temple wishing for a Golden Telangana state.
In addition to these, Akbaruddin also requested the CM to sanction Rs 3 crore for renovation and repairs to the Afzalgunj Masjid. He said that several Muslims offered prayers here and due to lack of repairs, they too are facing inconvenience while offering prayers at this Masjid.
The CM positively responded to the requests made by Akbaruddin. K Chandrashekar Rao assured that funds for the Mahankali Temple and Afzalgunj Masjid would be released. The CM has also instructed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to take the necessary measures for the development of these two places of worship.
