Secunderabad: The trustees of the Arangamanna Sanathi temple in Secunderabad are raising concerns over the continued closure of their temple despite winning a legal battle in the state high court.
The temple, which dates back to 1874, has been at the center of a dispute with the Military College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), whose officials allegedly locked it in 2023, disregarding the rights of its custodians.
According to trustee Gyan Sampath Kumar, the temple had been a hub of worship for the local Hindu community for over a century, with regular rituals and festivals being conducted. However, despite the court ruling in favour of the trustees, MCEME commandants—who serve on three-year postings—continue to claim the temple premises as military property.
The controversy escalated when temple custodians found the locks broken and access denied, leading to allegations that valuable idols made of gold and silver (Panchathola) had been replaced. Kumar has urged both state and central authorities to intervene, investigate the matter, and restore the temple’s sanctity.
Calling the situation “unfortunate,” Kumar emphasized that even the British had permitted the temple’s establishment on what was recorded as B3 land under Secunderabad Cantonment Board records. He demanded an immediate probe into the actions of MCEME officials and strict enforcement of the court order.
With the temple now in a deteriorated state, devotees and trustees are hoping for swift government action to reclaim and preserve their place of worship.
