Builder is not letting us build ‘Ram Temple’ in our society, say Panchsheel Greens residents

In a perplexing turn of events at Panchsheel Greens 1 society, residents took a momentous step on 22nd January 2024 by laying the foundation for a Ram Mandir within the society premises. The timing of this symbolic gesture coincided with the Ram Temple Pran Pratistha in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a day of immense significance for the Hindu community across the country. However, what should have been a joyous occasion turned into a struggle as the Panchsheel Greens developer, wielding his influence, dispatched the police force to prevent the construction of the temple.

Despite facing opposition, the determined residents of Panchsheel Greens 1 proceeded with their devotion, setting up a makeshift puja area on two parking spots generously offered by society members for the temple. This act of resilience speaks volumes about the unwavering commitment of the residents to see the construction of the temple through, even in the face of adversity.

Society resident and a senior citizen Anoop Dwivedi says, “The Builder is not letting us construct a temple in the society despite the place is our and we are contributing our own money to build the temple. Despite the builder’s brother is in the BJP he is stopping us build a temple. We have approached everyone including Mahesh Sharma and several officials in the authorities but they all are helpless against the builder.”

The bone of contention between the residents and the Panchsheel Greens builder runs deep, exacerbated by the builder’s familial ties to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The builder’s brother is a BJP member with influential connections at the highest levels of the party leadership. Residents allege that the builder is exploiting these political affiliations to obstruct their efforts in constructing the temple within the society compound, using his sway to manipulate the situation.

Many women residents told us that, “It is unsafe to go outside every time you want to visit the temple outside the society as chain snatching incidents are quite common here and with kids its not possible for us to go outside. We have been facing this problem for years and requested everyone including the CM Yogi for helping us build a temple in our society.”

The society, presently managed by the Apartment Owners Association (AoA), a resident welfare association, has witnessed recurrent clashes over the temple construction. Every attempt to initiate the building process has been met with opposition, with the builder resorting to the deployment of police forces to prevent the residents from realizing their dream of a community temple.

Panchsheel Greens society residents are now running a campaign on the social media account X (Earlier known as Twitter) to draw attention of the state CM Yogi and other top leaderships of BJP party.

सोसाइटी में 2200 मकान के लिए एक मंदिर तक नही ,जब निवासी खुद अपने सहयोग से मंदिर बनाये तो उन्हें डराया जा रहा है , बिल्डर भर्म फैला रहा। क्या राम के देश मे राम को मानना गुनाह है?@timesofindia @RBHARATNEWS3 @ZeeNews @ABPNews @aajtak @CNNnews18 @dgpup @myogiadityanath @noidapolice
— Panchsheel Greens AOA (@psg1_aoa) January 23, 2024

Expressing their frustration, residents highlight the irony of being unable to construct a temple within their society, even in a state ruled by the BJP, and with the builder’s brother being a prominent member of the party. Despite their grievances, the residents have not remained passive observers; they have tirelessly approached top-level officials and politicians, seeking support to counter the builder’s influence.

Assurances from political leaders and officials have not translated into tangible results on the ground. Despite promises of support, the police force continues to obstruct the residents’ efforts to build the temple. This has led to a sense of disillusionment among the residents, who find themselves caught in a web of bureaucratic hurdles and political maneuvering.

Undeterred by the obstacles, the residents have resolved to persevere in their quest to construct the Ram Mandir within the society. The initiation of puja rituals on the makeshift temple site signifies a collective determination to withstand the challenges thrown their way. The residents believe that their cause is just, rooted in their religious faith and their desire to create a space for communal worship within their living quarters.

As Panchsheel Greens 1 society becomes a battleground between the residents’ aspirations and the builder’s political influence, the struggle for the construction of the Ram Mandir continues. The clash between devotion and political power underscores the complexities embedded in community living, where personal beliefs and communal aspirations intersect with external influences, creating a narrative of resistance and determination in the face of adversity.

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