Mysore/Mysuru: Tension prevailed near Fountain Circle on Mysuru-Bengaluru Road this morning as MCC authorities removed an idol of  Veerabhadreshwara Swamy installed under a tree opposite the Petrol Bunk on Shivaji Road leading from Fountain Circle.

Acting on a Supreme Court order directing the State Governments to remove unauthorised religious structures on Public streets, public parks or public places, the authorities of MCC Zonal Office located at FTS Circle, headed by Zonal Assistant Commissioner Shivegowda, removed the idol in an early morning operation, to facilitate road expansion.

But BJP leaders,  who came to know of the idol removal, rushed to the spot and staged a snap stir demanding re-consecration of the idol.

Questioning MCC’s action, the BJP leaders wondered why this particular idol was targeted when there was no action on other such religious installations elsewhere.

Accusing the MCC of acting in haste, the protestors demanded that the idol be re-consecrated immediately and a temporary structure be built for the idol.

As the protest continued, NR ACP Shivashankar, Police Inspector G.S. Shekhar and other Police personnel rushed to the spot and tried to convince the protestors, but in vain. 

The BJP leaders were adamant on their stand and the protest was going on when we went to press.

City BJP President T.S. Srivatsa, leaders Sandesh Swamy, M.K. Premkumar, Ramesh, Mohan, M.V. Ravishankar and other leaders took part in the protest.