All 36,000 temples destroyed to build masjids will be reclaimed, says BJP's Eshwarappa

Former Karnataka Deputy CM and BJP MLA Eshwarappa has said that 36,000 temples were destroyed to build mosques over them. He stated that all of them would be reclaimed by Hindus legally.

KS Eshwarappa, former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, issued a statement on the mandir-masjid controversy on Friday, May 27. He said that 36,000 temples were destroyed to build masjids and that they would all be reclaimed legally.

The Karnataka BJP MLA said, “36,000 temples have been destroyed and masjids were built over it. Let them build mosques elsewhere and offer namaz, but we cannot allow them to build masjids over our temples. I am telling you, all the 36000 temples will be reclaimed by Hindus & legally.”

The mandir-masjid controversy surfaced in Karnataka on April 21, when a Hindu temple-like architectural design was found underneath an old mosque on the outskirts of Mangaluru.

Some people have said that a temple existed at the site before the mosque was built. Vishva Hindu Parishad leaders appealed to the district administration to stop the renovation work till documents were verified.

Now, Karnataka MLA KS Eshwarappa has said that, "All 36,000 temples which were destroyed to build mosques over them would be reclaimed by Hindus legally."

The mandir-masjid row also reached Telangana on Wednesday, May 25. State BJP chief Bandi Sanjay alleged that several temples in the state were demolished and mosques were built over them.

Bandi Sanjay also stated that if these mosques were dug up now, there was a possibility of unearthing Shiva Lingams.