Thread by @Pratys_diary

#FreeHinduTemples: A Story

An Archaka was protesting for 50 days. It had been 50 days since he had eaten anything. He had hope that somebody will listen to him. However, today his hope died when the JCB arrived. 1/n #VimuktaKshetram

He was serving in the small Aanjaneya temple since he was 21 and now he is 73. This temple was his life. The government had control over it as they have over all the temples. He was given 100rs to survive and the rest was stolen by the government. 2/n #FreeHinduTemples

However, the Archaka never complained. For him, doing seva of his Anajaneya was enough. He did not need anything else. Less did he knew that the government was planning to snatch that away too from him. 3/n #FreeHinduTemples

It all started a few years ago. At first, he was informed that they were developing a beautiful park around the temple to attract tourists. He did not object. 4/n #FreeHinduTemples

Slowly, everything around the temple started changing. Though it disturbed his own life, he bore with it. Then they started eyeing the temple. It was then that the Archaka began protesting. 5/n #FreeHinduTemples

Govt Official: What if we shift this temple to somewhere else?
Archaka: Why? The temple was here first.
6/n #FreeHinduTemples

GO: All kinds of tourists come here, some belonging to other religions. They find it offensive to see temple.
Archaka: You can always create something for them without touching the temple.
GO: Land belongs to Government.
Archaka: Land belongs to Anajaneya. 7/n #FreeHinduTemples

And then came the government's decision that the temple was in an unsanctioned area and it will be destroyed. Though Archaka was heartbroken, he tried to fight back. 8/n #FreeHinduTemples

He met many government officials. He met many influential politicians. He tried talking to the media. When nothing worked he sat on a fast till death. 9/n #FreeHinduTemples

But, today the JCB arrived. A government official came to him and spoke- "Pandit ji, please move. This all is not going to work."

"It's Aanjaneya's house. I will not move." spoke the Archaka. 10/n

#FreeHinduTemples

"You are wasting your time and energy. We have orders and we have brought the police." he said.

"You will have to break this temple over my dead body. Why don't you listen? This temple was here before. They made this park later." 11/n #FreeHinduTemples

"Pandit ji, you are born in a wrong religion to expect anything from this protest. If you were born a Muslim or a Christian, no one would have dared to come up with this development plan. You were fooled. Now please move." the government official wishpered. 12/n #FreeHinduTemples

Archaka's eyes welled up "Aren't you a Hindu? Shouldn't you help me?"
"No, no, pandit ji. Don't pull me into this mess. I am spiritual yes, but not religious. These religious issues are not my concern. I am here to follow my orders."
13/n #FreeHinduTemples

"What's spiritual? If you believe in Aanjaneya, how can you let this happen?" asked Archana angrily. The government official was irritated too. 14/n #FreeHinduTemples

He replied rudely "Why not? It's for development. Can't you see how much govt is doing? When did we have such govt that worked for development? If a temple comes in way of development, you guys should get out of the way. Here you are creating a nuisance." 15/n #FreeHinduTemples

He did not listen any further and asked the police to forcefully remove him from the temple premises. The Archaka cried, begged, but no one listened to him. The temple was destroyed within minutes. 16/n #FreeHinduTemples

They did not even remove the vigrah. The place where the Archaka had performed years of sadhana; The place where people came and cried their pain off; The place which was home to Aanjaneya, destroyed without a tear in anybody's eyes except the Archaka. 17/n #FreeHinduTemples

The Archaka could not take it any longer and left the world that night. This world was not for a bhakta. This world was not for a Hindu. As the government official said- He was born in the wrong religion!

[THE END]
18/n #FreeHinduTemples

Do you think this is just a fictional story? Our temples are being looted & dismantled. Why should a supposedly secular government manage Hindu religious place? Why is temple money being used to promote other religions? Please ask yourself that. 19/19. #FreeHinduTemples

Just to clarify. It is a fiction story that acts as a commentary on the current Hindu condition. Please do not mistake it for a real account. 20/20. #FreeHinduTemples