Case filed over demolition of 800-year-old Kakatiya Shiva temple
HYDERABAD: Authorities have reportedly registered a case over the demolition of an 800-year-old Kakatiya-era Shiva temple in Warangal district following a complaint filed before the National Monuments Authority.
The complaint, filed by Telangana rights lawyer Rama Rao Immaneni, alleged that the temple at Ashok Nagar in Khanapur mandal was demolished using bulldozers to facilitate construction of an Integrated School.
According to the complaint, the structure contained a rare seven-line Telugu inscription dated February 1231 AD referring to Kakatiya ruler Ganapatideva as “Maharaja” and “Rajadhirajulu”. Historians reportedly confirmed that the inscription had earlier been documented by the Heritage Department in 1965.
The Ministry of Culture and the Archaeology Department, Government of India, have reportedly taken cognisance of the matter and registered a case over the alleged destruction of the heritage structure.
The temple complex was part of the historic “Kota Katta” mud fort region, which is surrounded by ancient ponds and fortifications. Heritage experts stated that the structure could have been preserved, relocated or reconstructed without demolition.
The complaint also raised allegations against the Telangana government for not constituting a Heritage Conservation Committee under the Telangana Heritage Act.
Immaneni sought action under Section 30 of the Telangana Heritage Act against officials allegedly responsible for the demolition.
The complaint further demanded an inquiry into the role of Warangal Collector Dr Satya Sharada and other officials, including Jayesh Ranjan, in connection with the demolition and the alleged failure to protect the heritage structure.
