The villagers, who have been gathering and offering prayers at the temple for the last week, will maintain vigil in shifts round-the-clock.
According to the agitating villagers, the government had failed to act on their memorandum, which demanded preservation of the old idol. They claimed that many Bahujan Samaj members had voted for the BJP government, but except for St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh, no elected representative had visited them and heard their pleas.
When asked why they were protecting the old idol, they stated that it was a matter of sentiments. They said that their emotions were with the old idol and no other idol could have their love, and hence, they were protecting it.
They further said, “Neither the government and MLAs nor the former ministers of Bahujans tried to help us. All come at the time of votes.”
The villagers also questioned why the old Mahajan Act could not be changed when the new Tenancy Act could be amended. They added, “We will not allow the temple committee to replace the ancient idol. It belongs to the villagers. If it is private property, the committee will have to prove it. The government will be fully responsible for the outcome of the agitation.”
Meanwhile, the Navdurga Madkaikarin Satyashodan Manch, through a press release, has urged the government to intervene and resolve the matter by preserving the old idol, like it had been done for many other famous idols in temples across the country.
It also urged the government to refer to Supreme Court judgments that temples were public property and to take action accordingly to settle the controversy.
