Differences between Hindu community representatives delaying first ever temple in DHA

Pakistan Hindu Council and All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat at loggerheads over plot's ownership

KARACHI: The decision to build the first ever temple in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was widely appreciated by all religious communities. However, the plan hit some snags after two groups of the Hindu community have turned against each other over the temple's ownership.

Differences between the two groups have delayed the transfer of the land allotted for the temple's construction in the DHA, one of the most posh localities in Karachi.

The temple was supposed to facilitate the large Hindu population living in the DHA and Clifton areas. However, due to the delay, the Hindu community has been disappointed by some of its own representatives.

In a letter issued in December last year, DHA announced that it would allot an amenity plot for the construction of a temple since members of different Hindu organisations had been approaching the authority for a place of worship in the area.

In this regard, the housing authority asked the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) and All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat (APHP) to develop a consensus on the matter and contact DHA for the plot's transfer so that construction of the temple could start.

However, the groups have failed to reach any agreement in this regard. The PHC is likely to get the plot, as DHA, in a letter dated February 23, has asked it to contact the housing authority for the completion of formalities so that the plot can be handed over to the council.



PHC Patron-in-Chief Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani informed The Express Tribune that he sent an application to DHA in 2008 for the allotment of a plot for a temple in the area. "Later, during a meeting in 2013, I was informed by DHA that a plot had been allotted for a temple and gurdwara. However, due to some issues, another 2,000 square yard plot was allocated for the temple in 2015," he explained.

He said that the demarcation of plot number 257A in Phase-VIII - A had been carried out on Abdul Sattar Road formerly known as Beach Avenue Road. Vankwani claimed that the APHP was not a true representative body of Hindus and therefore did not deserve the plot.

Meanwhile, the APHP claims that the new temple should be constructed and managed by it. In a letter to DHA, the group maintained that for the past many years all temples in Karachi were being looked after by it or by gaddi nasheens (caretakers). The APHP maintained that the new temple should not be given to any non-governmental organisation because most organisations have ulterior motives, which are not in the best interest of the community.

Quoting the letter sent by the APHP to DHA, the group's general secretary, Ravi Dawani, said, "The Karachi Hindu Panchayat is the most deserving [organisation] for the allotment of land for the temple in DHA as it [has been] successfully managing many temples in Karachi including the Sri Ratneshwar Maha Dev Temple, Hanuman Mandir in Soldier Bazaar, Native Jetty Mandir and Hindu Cremation Ground".

According to Dawani, a recommendation letter was also sent to DHA, which was signed by more than 20 current and former senators and members of the national and provincial assemblies. The letter recommended that the plot be handed over to the Karachi Hindu Panchayat, which is an independent body, in the best interest of the community. The APHP has also sent letters to the Karachi Corps Commander and Rangers director-general asking them to help it in this regard.



The APHP general secretary claimed that the PHC had never managed a temple before. He added that the council was also not willing to come to the table to develop a consensus over the issue.

Commenting on the controversy, minority rights activist Ross Mahtani said the Hindu community appreciated the historic decision of DHA and the government to allocate a plot for the temple. He added that it was, however, disappointing that due to differences between the two groups, the construction was being delayed.

"We, the Hindu community, appeal to the organisations to amicably resolve the issue as the temple will benefit us all. This should not be made into a political issue," Mahtani said.