Brundavana desecration: Team formed to nab miscreants

September 17, 2001

http://deccanherald.com/deccanherald/sep18/s13.htm

DH News Service HOSPET, Sept 17

Superintendent of Police K V Sharatchandra today visited the spot where Sri Narahari Teertharu’s Brundavana was dug up by some miscreants anticipating a treasure underneath the structure. Speaking to Deccan Herald after inspecting the spot, he said that the miscreants would be apprehended as quickly as possible. He said that a special team was constituted in this regard to track down the culprits. Mr Sharatchandra reportedly spoke to Sri Satyatma Swamiji of the Uttaradi Math on phone as he was on an hunger strike after he heard that the 700 years old structure was razed down by unidentified miscreants. After ensuring the pontiff that the guilty would be brought to book, he reportedly gave up the hunger strike, Mr Sharatchandra said. The SP also visited the Uttaradi Math and spoke to the devotees. Mr M Gururajachar, who spoke to the SP, said that he was in-charge of performing pooja to the Brundavana and when he went on the particular day, when the incident occurred to the Brundavan, he was dazed to see the entire Brundavana dug up. “The six-feet high Brundavan was completely demolished and the miscreants had also dug up two-feet deep. I spotted some beedi and cigarette butts along with some playing cards at the spot,” he said. The devotees in the Math along with a lawyer requested the SP to provide adequate security to the site. The Archeological Survey of India has deputed 90 guards to look after the monuments in Hampi, but none are deputed at the Brundavan, they said. The SP promised adequate protection to the Brundavana. A case in this regard has been registered at the Kamalpur Police Station. DySP Basavarajappa and Circle Inspector B T Chawan were present with Mr Sharatchandra.