Kannauj Temple Encroachment: SP Leader Kaish Khan Accused of Uprooting Shivling, Outrage Grows
In Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj district, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Kaish Khan faces allegations of illegally encroaching upon a 200-year-old Shri Jageshwar Nath Shiva temple in the Bala Peer area. The allegations, which include uprooting a Shivling and constructing a three-story building on the site, have triggered massive outrage among the Hindu community and demands for strict action from BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders.
Allegations of Temple Encroachment
On December 26, former BJP MP Subrat Pathak and Tirwa MLA Kailash Rajput, along with local Hindus, inspected the site. They claimed that if the well on the premises were excavated, idols of Hindu deities would be found. Pathak accused Khan of committing a “direct attack on the Hindu faith” by allegedly removing the Shivling and other idols.
कन्नौज के बालापीर मोहल्ले में सैकड़ों साल पुराने जागेश्वरनाथ महादेव मंदिर पर SP के नेता कैश खान द्वारा कब्जे का मामला, बताया जा रहा है कि आधा मंदिर तोड़कर उस पर अवैध कब्जा किया गया… साथ ही मंदिर के इस हिस्से को एसपी नेता कैश खान ने अपने घर से मिला दिया #Kannauj #SP pic.twitter.com/qghJMJjTDN
— News18 Uttarakhand (@News18_UK) December 26, 2024
The BJP leader submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate (DM) Shubhrant Kumar Shukla, demanding immediate action. He warned that if the administration failed to free the temple land and reinstall the Shivling, he and his supporters would stage a sit-in protest.
VHP and Community Outrage
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has joined the demand for action, alleging that incidents like these hurt Hindu sentiments. “This encroachment is unacceptable and needs immediate resolution,” said a VHP spokesperson.
Local residents allege that Kaish Khan threatened to implicate them in false cases when they protested against the encroachment. BJP leaders have further accused SDM Sadar Ramkesh of colluding with the SP leader.
SP Leader’s Denial
Kaish Khan has denied the allegations, asserting that he legally purchased the land and that the temple remains safe. He accused BJP leaders of creating a political issue to disrupt communal harmony. SDM Sadar Ramkesh also dismissed accusations of collusion as baseless.
Sambhal: Another Instance of SP’s Lawlessness?
The allegations against Kaish Khan follow a major electricity theft case involving SP MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq in Sambhal. Barq was recently fined ₹1.91 crores and faced an FIR under Section 135 of the Electricity Act for bypassing meters to steal power. A massive contingent of police was deployed to install smart meters at his residence after irregularities in electricity usage were flagged.
#WATCH | Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: A team from State Electricity Department, along with a large number of security personnel, arrives at the residence of SP MP Zia ur Rehman Barq in Sambhal. The State Electricity Department has flagged irregularities in electricity usage at the… pic.twitter.com/Y8eLXbXf1M
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024
The anti-encroachment and electricity theft drives in Sambhal have uncovered industrial-scale theft, particularly in densely populated areas. Notably, illegal powerhouses supplying electricity to over 100 houses were found atop mosques. Authorities registered 1250 FIRs and imposed fines totaling ₹5.2 crores in just three months. In one case, a mosque was discovered with 59 fans and 30 light points operating on stolen electricity.
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A Pattern of Lawlessness
These incidents reflect a troubling pattern of alleged lawlessness among SP leaders, even when the party is not in power. BJP leaders argue that such actions undermine public trust and highlight a lack of accountability. “When SP leaders openly flout laws, how can they claim to represent the people?” questioned a BJP spokesperson.
The BJP and VHP have called for strict action against Kaish Khan and others involved in such acts, emphasizing that political affiliations should not shield anyone from the law.
The Need for Accountability
As investigations into both cases continue, the public awaits swift and decisive action. These incidents underscore the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting India’s cultural and religious heritage. The nation will closely watch how the authorities address these allegations and ensure justice is served.