RANCHI, INDIA, September 2, 2002: Hindu organizations led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and dozens of local temple committees today disrupted rail traffic, smashed vehicles, beat up shop-keepers and enforced a strict bandh (general strike) in protest against the Jharkhand High Court’s orders to either demolish the Hanuman temple in front of the Ranchi railway station or to relocate it. VHP leader Pramod Kumar Mishra told The Telegraph that irrespective of the consequences, they would not allow the Ranchi station temple to be shifted. Mishra said the district administration was free to demolish the temple, though they would never agree for another location for the temple, which has been in existence for over 25 years at the place.
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