Hyderabad: Hanuman Temple, Muslim chilla relocation hits roadblock after residents say no to HYDRAA

Hyderabad: A major row has erupted over the proposed relocation of the Hanuman Temple and Muslim Chilla near Sunnam Cheruvu.

This follows conflicting statements from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and local residents.

While HYDRAA announced that community members agreed to shift both structures as part of a lake restoration plan, the SIET Maruthi Hills Colony Welfare Association has denied approving any such move.

HYDRAA says consensus achieved in meeting

According to HYDRAA, a meeting was held with local representatives on November 22 to discuss the relocation. The authority stated the temple and chilla fall within the Full Tank Level (FTL) boundary of Sunnam Cheruvu, one of six lakes being revived in the first phase of restoration.

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath briefed attendees on Supreme Court guidelines restricting permanent structures within lake FTL zones and proposed relocating both sites safely to the lake bund.

The authority maintains that residents from both communities agreed to the relocation, calling the outcome a “mutual and peaceful resolution.”

SIET residents deny involvement or approval

Contrary to the official statement, the SIET Maruthi Hills Colony Welfare Association claims no such consultation took place with their members.

“There was no meeting with SIET residents, no request for opinion, and no approval given,” the association said, calling HYDRAA’s claim “factually incorrect and misleading.”

Residents also stated that media reports merely echoed HYDRAA’s official press release and should not be held responsible for the misinformation.

Community says issue is consent, not faith

The association clarified that residents are not opposed to the presence of the Hanuman Temple. “We hold the temple in deep respect. Our objection is only to the false attribution of consent on behalf of SIET residents,” the association said.

Public reaction and online debate

The proposal gained attention on social media earlier this week, prompting discussions over heritage, legality, and lake preservation. The contradictory claims from HYDRAA and residents have now intensified public scrutiny of the process.

Demand for withdrawal of official statement

SIET has formally requested HYDRAA to withdraw or correct the statement issued on November 22. It has also made it clear that SIET residents have not agreed to the relocation plan.

HYDRAA clarifies SIET was neither consulted nor involved in relocation decision

HYDRAA clarified that it never stated anywhere that the SIET Society had agreed to the relocation of the temple. Officials explained that SIET members were not even invited to the discussion as they are not local residents but only vacant plot owners.

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath said the deliberations were held exclusively with the actual residents of the area belonging to both Hindu and Muslim communities. Based on their mutual understanding, the decision to shift the temple and chilla was finalised.

“SIET Society was not called for the meeting. Locals do not mean SIET Society. They are merely plot holders, not residents,” the Commissioner said.