BJP MP from Karnataka Pratap Simha has courted controversy by saying that he has asked engineers to demolish a "mosque-like" structure that was built by one of his party's MLAs.
Bengaluru: A bus stop in Mysore was in news because it looked like a mosque to a BJP leader. For which the BJP MP had even given a warning to demolish it. Actually there were three domes at the bus stop. Now a video and photos of it have come out, in which its new look can be seen. Now only one dome is visible at the bus stop on the Kerala Border-Kollegala section of National Highway-766, which has been painted red. And the two small domes which were present earlier are now missing.
BJP MP from Karnataka Pratap Simha has courted controversy by saying that he has asked engineers to demolish a “mosque-like” structure that was built by one of his party’s MLAs. He said, “I have seen it on social media. The bus stand has three domes, a big one in the middle and two smaller ones next to it, which is a mosque.” He also claimed that such “dome-like” structures were being built in most parts of Mysore.
He had said, “I have told the engineers to demolish the structure in three-four days. If they don’t do it, I will take a JCB and demolish it.” His statement was criticized by many people including the opposition as divisive. Local BJP MLA Ram Das, who built the bus stop. He earlier denied his party colleague’s comments and said that the bus shelter design was inspired by the Mysore Palace.
Later, Das apologized in a letter addressed to the local people, saying that he had “designed the bus stop keeping in mind the heritage of Mysore”. “But there was a difference of opinion…that’s why I am getting the two domes removed. If anyone’s sentiments were hurt, I am sorry,” he said. This morning, Simha shared the news about the changes made at the bus shelter. He also thanked the BJP MLA and the district administration for addressing his concerns.
Earlier, the NHAI had issued notices to the Mysore City Corporation and the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) to remove the bus shelter stop, keeping in mind Simha’s tweet.
Claiming that the structure was built to address “controversial nature issues”, the highways authority gave it a week to remove it. NHAI said, “Since it (the structure) has developed a communal issue…it may be treated as a notice, failing which action will be initiated as per the Highways Administration Act 2003.”
