Kanpur Mayor Pramila Pandey has initiated a campaign aimed at restoring over 125 ancient temples located in Muslim-majority neighborhoods of the city. She highlighted that these temples, once central to the community, have suffered from encroachment and disrepair, with many now missing their idols and structures in ruins.
During a press conference, Mayor Pandey emphasized her commitment to removing encroachments and resuming worship in these temples, stating that if necessary, bulldozers would be utilized to clear the premises. Accompanied by police officials, she inspected various sites and directed local authorities to expedite the restoration process, asserting the historical and religious significance of these sites.
The Mayor expressed concerns over demographic changes in areas like Bekanganj, which was historically home to the Agarwal community that built many temples. She affirmed that the temples represent the community’s heritage and vowed to ensure daily worship resumes once the sites are restored and cleaned.