Hubballi: Over 200 protesters, including 3 BJP legislators, party workers and members of Hindu organisations were detained when they tried to breach prohibitory orders clamped around Bhavani Shankar temple here on Saturday.
BJP MLAs Arvind Bellad and Mahesh Tenginakai, MLC Pradeep Shettar and Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik were among those detained, police said.
The BJP workers and members of Hindu organisations staged a protest in old Hubballi, demanding removal of the concrete road laid at Asar Honda and excavation of the site to unearth 'historical Pushkarani' believed to be existing underneath.
The protesters said, "The Bombay Gazetteer of 1823-24 has mentioned about existence of a Pushkarani in front of Bhavani Shankar Narayan temple. Property tax extract also mentioned the place as a public municipality pond. Though the place is close to the protected monument, the civic body laid the road suddenly amid police bandobust," they said.
BJP leaders alleged minority appeasement by Congress government and negligence by officials of Hubballi-Dharwad municipal corporation (HDMC) and archaeology department. They said the fight to get the site excavated and protect 'Pushkarani' will continue.
Later, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi visited the temple and held talks with Samiti leaders and HDMC officials. He said an independent, transparent and scientific excavation should be conducted to establish historical status of the 'Pushkarani site', suggesting the Samiti to approach court.