Hyderabad: Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) chief Kalvakuntla Kavitha has demanded that the historic Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple be reconstructed using traditional black stone (Krishna Shila) and in accordance with Agama Shastra, strongly opposing the use of concrete in the temple construction.
She said construction should not be hurried at the cost of traditional architecture and insisted that the shrine should be built to last for at least a thousand years. Addressing a press conference in Vemulawada on Tuesday, Kavitha said the temple had a rich historical and spiritual legacy and should be rebuilt in a manner that would ensure its longevity for centuries.
She demanded ₹1 crore compensation, three acres of land and a government job for each affected family. She claimed that cows and calves at the temple were dying due to inadequate fodder and were not being given proper last rites in accordance with religious traditions.
Reiterating her party’s “Panchajanyam” agenda of free education, free healthcare, agricultural welfare, youth employment and social justice, Kavitha said her organisation would continue to raise grassroots issues. Kavitha also expressed concern over the alleged neglect of temple cattle. She questioned local MP and union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar over the issue and asked why adequate funds had not been secured under the Centre’s PRASHAD scheme for the development of the temple. On the Nerella victims’ issue, Kavitha criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, alleging that the victims had been offered inadequate compensation. She also sought a white paper from the Superintendent of Police on the alleged disappearance of police inquiry records. She also appealed to former Maoists committed to public service to join the Telangana Rakshana Sena and work for public welfare and accountability.