Hindu Sentiments at Risk: E Sreedharan Takes Legal Action Against Kerala Bridge Construction.

‘Metro man’ E Sreedharan Goes to Court to Stop Bridge Construction, Citing Potential Hurt to Hindu Sentiments.

E Sreedharan has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the Kerala government’s assurance that the proposed Thiruvanaya-Thavanur Bridge spanning will not compromise the religious sanctity of the Holy Trinity temples situated on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River.

B Upendran | HENB | Kochi | Sept 7, 2024:: On the eve of construction, India’s renowned ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan has petitioned the Kerala High Court with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), contesting the state government’s oversight in exploring viable alternatives for rerouting the Thiruvanaya-Thavanur Bridge spanning the Bharathapuzha River.

E Sreedharan’s Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is made to ensure the Kerala government’s bridge construction project which does not care the religious sanctity of the Holy Trinity temples situated along the Bharathapuzha River. Notably, despite his opposition to the current plan, Sreedharan has offered his expertise pro bono to the state government, proposing an alternative alignment that would preserve the temples’ sanctity, and has even submitted a detailed plan outlining his approach.

E Sreedharan highlighted that his proposed alignment method would not only preserve the religious sanctity of the Holy Trinity temples but also prove to be a cost-effective solution. Interestingly, Sreedharan’s decision to approach the High Court came after his repeated attempts to engage with the government through letters to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State Minister for Public Works, PA Mohammed Riyas, his son-in-law, went unacknowledged and unaddressed.

The Kerala High Court’s Division Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu, has admitted the petition filed by 92-year-old E Sreedharan, the renowned ‘Metro Man’. The court has directed the state government to submit a statement in response to Sreedharan’s petition, marking a significant development in the case.

E Sreedharan, the visionary builder behind several iconic Indian structures, was compelled to take action after discovering that the proposed bridge would fragment the sacred temple complex spanning the Bharathapuzha river. Specifically, the bridge would isolate the Lord Vishnu Temple in Thirunavaya, Malappuram district, from the adjacent temples dedicated to Lord Brahma and Lord Mahesh in Thavanur, disrupting the spiritual continuum of the holy site.

E Sreedharan’s discovery of the proposed bridge’s alignment led him to realize its far-reaching consequences: not only would it disrupt the spiritual connection between the temples, but also desecrate the sacred site by encroaching upon the samadhi (cremation memorial) of K Kelappan, affectionately known as ‘Kerala Gandhi’. Furthermore, the bridge’s construction would fragment the office complex, causing undue disturbance to the area. Recognizing the potential hurt to Hindu devotees’ religious sentiments, Sreedharan felt compelled to take action.

E Sreedharan urged the High Court to instruct the state government to explore alternative alignments for the bridge, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach. He also brought to the court’s attention the imminent commencement of construction on Sunday, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. Notably, Sreedharan, fondly known as India’s ‘Metro Man’, has been leading a quiet life in the state since his retirement. His last public appearance was during the 2021 Assembly elections, where he contested as a BJP candidate from the Palakkad Assembly seat, ultimately losing to the Congress candidate.
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__Inputs from Agencies.