Akbar Owaisi Demands Special Funds for Lal Darwaza Temple, CM Approves ₹20 Crore
Hyderabad, 15 March – (www.deccanlive.com): During the ongoing Telangana Assembly budget session, AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi requested special funds for the Lal Darwaza Temple. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy responded immediately and approved ₹20 crore for the temple.
While addressing the Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi said, “I have said this many times. Even KCR once stood up and said, ‘Akbar Sahab, you are speaking very secularly. You are doing good work. We are giving ₹20 crore for the Lal Darwaza Temple.’ This is a major temple in a big city, and there is also a market nearby called Afzal Market. If the people there are provided alternative land, we can expand the Lal Darwaza Temple further.”
He further criticized those who promote Hindutva and try to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims. He said, “These people call themselves protectors of Sanatan Dharma, but they have never talked about Hindu archaeological sites or lands linked to Hinduism. And then they accuse us of only speaking about Muslims. I talk about Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs—everyone.”
This statement came during an important Assembly session where the state government was discussing various development projects and welfare initiatives. Akbaruddin Owaisi emphasized that all religious places in the state should be treated equally, and the government should provide funds for their development.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy acknowledged this demand and stated that his government is committed to protecting and developing religious sites of all faiths, with appropriate budget allocations. He further said, “Building the temple is our responsibility, and visiting it is yours. I am giving you this responsibility, Akbar Sahab, you should visit the temple.”
Political circles see this decision as a significant development that could promote harmony and cooperation between the government and the opposition. Public reactions have been mixed—some consider it a positive step toward communal harmony, while others view it as a political strategy.
