Bajrang Dal protests in Bhopal against demolition of temple in Malaysia

Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest here today against the demolition of a century-old temple in Malaysia.

Bhopal, Nov 4 : Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest here today against the demolition of a century-old temple in Malaysia.

On Tuesday, Malaysian city hall authorities had demolished Shri Maha Mariamman Temple in Padang Jawa town, resulting in a clash between devotees and the city authorities.

The Malaysian authorities reportedly said that the temple was built on an encroached land.

Activists marched through the streets in Bhopal shouting anti-Malaysia slogans.

Bajrang Dal's Bhopal District chief Vishal Purohit threatened countrywide protests if their demands were not met.

"We demand the protection of the Hindu temples of the world and request the Central government to reprimand the Malaysian ambassador and send him back otherwise the activists of the Bajrang Dal will take out countrywide protest," he said.

Built in 1873, the temple dedicated to Goddess Maha Mariamman was the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia.

Carved images of deities adorned the temple's grand entrance, a 22-metre high pyramid-shaped tower or 'gopuram'.

According to various Hindu groups in Malaysia, some 10,000 temples have been demolished so far in what is termed as "temple cleansing" drive in the country.

ANI