Modi appalled, followers demolish Rajkot temple

Manas Dasgupta

Ahmedabad, February 12

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's followers today demolished the “temple” dedicated to him on the outskirts of Rajkot city in Gujarat after the PM expressed displeasure.

Modi, who said he was saddened by the news reports about the temple, asked his followers to instead put time and energy in fulfilling his dream of “Clean India”.

After the PM's statement and tweets, Modi's followers have decided to replace his idol with “Bharat Mata”. But later they were forced to demolish the entire structure after revenue officials informed them that the construction of the "temple" was illegal as no clearance was taken for the purpose.

The demolition of the structure was going on till late evening and was expected to be completed overnight.
The "Modi Mandir" was constructed by a group of Modi's followers at an estimated cost of Rs 5 lakh on land reportedly earmarked by the Kothariya village panchayat for a "Bharat Mata" temple.

Modi's supporters had invited Union Minister of State for Agriculture Mohan Kundariya and some ministers of the Gujarat Cabinet for the inauguration of the temple, slated for February 15.