Oh God! Please make way

By J.S.Ifthekhar

HYDERABAD, FEB. 22. Does God clear obstacles or create them? Why the question unless you are an atheist. Not necessary. Even if you are a Hyderabadi or just a tourist drifting through the city you are likely to face this query sooner than later. In this bustling metropolis, divinity has become more of an obstacle. And unfortunately, that is the reality - God's truth.

Our city's roads may be creating waves all over the world, but back home they continue to be a driver's nightmare. Mishaps, congestion and bumper-to-bumper traffic top the litany of torments the city is afflicted with. These problems might appear mundane but the celestial cause is unmistakable. Yes, here it is the man who proposes and disposes. The road-widening programme in most parts is rendered virtually ineffective, thanks to the religious structures coming in the way. In at least 200 spots in the city road-widening could not be taken up as such structures are situated plonk in the middle of the passage.

And wherever the authorities have widened the road, they have to steer clear of these `places of worship.' "Can God be an obstacle for development?" wonders Dr. P.K. Mohanty, Commissioner, MCH. The civic body, which is on a demolition spree, pulling down buildings by the dozen, finds itself in a tight corner when it comes to shifting such structures. It does not want to hurt the sentiments of people and invite their wrath. "The community should come forward voluntarily to shift the place of worship in their own interest," affirms an MCH official.

Though temple or mosque construction is not its activity, the MCH is willing to offer Rs. 1 lakh and also show an alternative site if any community agrees to shifting the place of worship. But unfortunately this scheme has no takers. So far, only the management committees of Sitaramanjaneylu temple at Toli Chowki and the Zion church at Yellareddyguda have availed themselves of this scheme.

The MCH wants to keep itself away from this delicate issue. It wants NGOs and voluntary organisations to take the lead instead. "Why can't those who call themselves `friends' of Hyderabad or cry hoarse about `Hyderabad bacaho' take up such issues?" asks an official.

Places of worship here have a tendency of springing up overnight. The modus operandi is simple. When a tea kiosk, a cloth store, a pan shop or just anybody feels threatened by the road-widening work what they do instinctively is to turn to God - literally. And next morning you find a deity installed or a religious flag fluttering!

The MCH can huff and puff, but it can do nothing except beat a hasty retreat. Most of the religious structures, it is said, do not even attract devotees. Yet, they continue to occupy prime space on the road. Officials point out how the height of the Masab Tank flyover had to be raised to the maximum as a religious structure mushroomed suddenly. In the process the Government suffered a loss of nearly Rs. 1 crore.

In spite of specific orders from the court, the MCH is unable to shift places of worship at Saleemnagar colony in Malakpet and Prakashnagar in Begumpet. "We do not want to use force," Dr. Mohanty squirms.

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Section  : Southern States
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