Date:20/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112054880600.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Novel protest by ISKCON devotees

HYDERABAD: For over five hours this busy street morphed into a divine street. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Chirag Ali Lane and streets abutting it resonated with the unceasing chants of ‘Hare Krishna-Hare Rama’. No expletives were hurled. And no one tried to antagonise the police during this novel protest.

The protest was against Government’s plan to acquire 2,890 square yards of Secunderabad International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple. Over 2,000 devotees converged here on Wednesday to register their resentment, over the proposal, by taking up Krishna chanting and dancing to its tunes.

Devotees, drawn from various walks of life, were miffed by a November 5 notification, which said that 2,890 sq. yards of the temple property would be acquired for metro rail project. A human chain was formed and all the incoming and outgoing roads to Hyderabad Collector office were blocked. No one was allowed inside the Collector’s office.

Huge speakers blared out Krishna chanting, interspersed by fervent pleas to lay-off the property acquiring process. Women devotees blocked the road and tried to assuage visitors, who were upset for not being allowed to attend their daily work in various offices located in this street.

Traffic towards this lane, Nampally station road and Abids had to be diverted. Till 3 p.m., the stretch was completely closed, much to the dismay of commuters.

The devotees were also joined by BJP leaders and party workers in large numbers.

The ISKCON authorities insisted District Collector Naveen Mittal hold talks with them and assure them of positive action. The Collector later on held discussions with heads of ISKCON and BJP State president Bandaru Dattatreya.