“Mosque-Like” Karnataka Bus Stop Has A New Look After BJP MP’s Threat

Before and after view of the bus stop on National Highway 766 in Mysuru.

Bangalore:

A bus station in Mysuru, recently there was news about a BJP congressman threatening to raze it for looking like a mosque because it has three domes on top, now has a new look, Videos and photos are shared online.

The bus stop on the Kerala Border-Kollegala section of Highway-766 now has a single dome, painted red. The two smaller domes that were once – with all three in yellow – are now missing.

This comes days after Karnataka BJP MP Pratap Simha controversially said he had asked engineers to tear down the “mosque-like” structure built by the MLA from his party.

“I’ve seen it on social media. The bus stop has three domes, a large dome in the middle and two small domes next to it. It’s only for masjid,” he said.

He also claims that such “gumbaz-like” structures are being built in most parts of Mysuru.

The bus stop on the Kerala Border-Kollegala section of Highway-766 now has only a single dome.

“I told the engineers to destroy the structure in 3-4 days. If they don’t, I’ll take a JCB and destroy it,” he threatened.

His statement was criticized by many, including the opposition, as divisive.

Local BJP MLA Ram Das, who built the bus station, first denied the opinion of his party colleagues, reiterating that the bus shelter design was inspired by the Palace Mysore.

Mr Das later apologized in a letter to locals, saying he had “designed the bus stop to preserve the heritage of Mysore”.

“There are different opinions… That’s why I’m asking for the two domes to be removed. I apologize if anyone’s feelings were hurt,” he said.

Before that, the bus stop had three domes – with all three in yellow.

This morning Mr. Simha shared the news of the changes to the bus shelter. He also thanked the BJP MLA and the county government for addressing his concerns.

Earlier, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), noting Mr. Simha’s tweet, issued a notice to the Mysuru Municipal Corporation and Rural Infrastructure Development Co., Ltd. Karnataka (KRIDL) to secure the demolition of the bus shelter.

Declaring that the structure was built to achieve “controversial kinds of issues”, the highway authority has given a one-week deadline to dismantle it.

NHAI said: “As it (the structure) has evolved into a general issue… this can be taken as notice, otherwise action under the Highway Administration Act 2003 would be initiated. head”.