On December 20th, the historic Ganga Maharani Temple in Bareilly’s Qila Police Station area was finally freed from a staggering 40-year-long illegal occupation by Wajid Ali and his family. For decades, this 250-year-old temple, revered by the local Hindu community, was wrongfully taken over under dubious claims. According to media reports, Wajid Ali and his family “voluntarily” vacated the premises following an investigation conducted by the district administration, which invalidated their claims of “legal occupation.” Wajid had argued that he was employed as a watchman by a cooperative society to oversee two rented rooms within the premises. However, the inquiry revealed these claims to be baseless and entirely fabricated.

The Illegal Occupation of the Ganga Maharani Temple

The Ganga Maharani Temple, located in Bareilly’s Bakarganj area under the jurisdiction of Qila Police Station, has been a pillar of faith for over two centuries. However, it was transformed into a battleground for justice after being occupied by Wajid Ali and his family 40 years ago. Wajid’s assertions about being a watchman for a cooperative society crumbled under scrutiny. He not only occupied the premises but also reportedly desecrated the temple by removing its sacred idols and the Shivalingam. To add to the outrage, Islamic flags were placed within the temple, deeply offending the sentiments of the Hindu community and sparking widespread anger.

The illegal occupation did not go unchallenged. Several Hindu organizations and the rightful owner of the temple premises, Rakesh Singh, lodged repeated complaints with District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar, urging immediate action. Their persistence bore fruit when the district administration initiated an investigation into the matter. The findings were unequivocal: Wajid Ali had no legal right to the property, nor was he ever employed by the cooperative society he claimed to represent. Further proof came from historical documents that established the temple’s ownership under the Ganga Maharani Trust since 1905.

The Fight for Justice

The desecration and illegal occupation of the Ganga Maharani Temple underscore a broader issue faced by Hindu temples across the country. For decades, these sacred spaces have been targeted through fraudulent claims and encroachments. In this case, Wajid Ali's actions were not limited to occupying the premises; they extended to undermining the temple’s sanctity by replacing its religious symbols. This calculated assault on the temple’s spiritual significance left a lasting scar on the community.

The administration's investigation and subsequent action have brought to light the blatant misuse of religious tolerance and legal loopholes that allowed such an occupation to persist for so long. The recovery of the Ganga Maharani Temple is a critical step, but the scars of this encroachment linger. The case exemplifies the urgent need for stricter oversight and legal protections to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Administrative Action Under DM’s Directive

The long-standing dispute over the 250-year-old Ganga Maharani Temple came under the spotlight following a detailed report by Dainik Bhaskar. The report revealed the illegal occupation of this historic temple, prompting District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar to order an official investigation. Responding swiftly, SDM Sadar Govind Maurya and cooperative society officials inspected the site. Their inquiry into the ownership records confirmed that Rakesh Singh, a direct descendant of the temple’s original trustees, was the rightful owner. This discovery led the administration to issue a formal notice to Wajid Ali, instructing him to vacate the premises within seven days.

In a desperate bid to prolong his unlawful occupancy, Wajid claimed that his father had been a watchman for the cooperative society and requested an eight-month extension to vacate the temple. However, his story fell apart when Vikas Sharma, the secretary of the cooperative society, categorically stated that there was no record of Wajid or his father being employees. This clarification further cemented the fraudulent nature of Wajid's claims, leaving no room for negotiation.

On December 20th, the administration, led by Superintendent of Police (SP) City Manish Parikh, took decisive action. A police team supervised the eviction process, ensuring it was conducted smoothly and documented thoroughly for transparency. Under strict oversight, Wajid and his family were compelled to remove their belongings and vacate the premises. This marked the end of a prolonged injustice that had tarnished the sanctity of the Ganga Maharani Temple for decades.

Hindu Organisations Celebrate the Eviction

The successful eviction of Wajid Ali and his family was met with jubilant celebrations by Hindu organizations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagran Manch. Members of these groups gathered at the temple premises, chanting spirited slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” to mark the occasion. They promptly removed the Islamic flags that had been placed on the temple grounds during Wajid’s illegal occupation. In a symbolic act of reclamation, saffron flags were hoisted on the temple premises, reinstating its Hindu identity.

The local Hindu community wasted no time in planning a revival of the temple’s spiritual activities. They announced a purification ceremony to cleanse the desecrated temple, followed by the recitation of the Sundarkand Path on December 21st. This was to formally reopen the temple for worship and restore its role as a center of faith and devotion.

Historical Significance of the Temple

The Ganga Maharani Temple is not just a religious structure but a cornerstone of Bareilly’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Spanning 900 square yards, the temple is revered by the local Hindu community for its historical and religious significance. It originally housed idols of Ganga Maharani, a white Shivalingam, and the Shiv family, which made it a prominent site for worship and rituals.

Rakesh Singh, the rightful owner and a descendant of the temple’s original trustees, shared his anguish over the decades-long encroachment. Speaking to the media, he recalled how the temple was once a vibrant center for Hindu worship until Wajid’s illegal occupation disrupted its sanctity. Singh accused Wajid of destroying key elements of the temple, including its wells and other structures integral to its heritage. This destruction not only damaged the temple’s physical structure but also left an indelible mark on the collective memory of the community that had cherished it for generations.

The eviction marks a critical step in reclaiming the temple’s legacy, but the damage done over four decades serves as a grim reminder of the need to safeguard such cultural treasures from similar encroachments in the future.