VHP opposes second Konark Temple proposal

Bhubaneswar: A couple of days after eminent sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra revealed his dream project of constructing a second Konark temple in Odisha and sought cooperation from both the State government and the Centre for the project, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today criticised the idea and even threatened to move the Supreme Court.

"We vehemently condemn the proposal of Raghunath Mohapatra to build another Konark Temple. If needed, we will move the Supreme Court for a stay order," said Badrinath Patnaik, working president of VHP.

"The entry of non-Hindus inside is not an issue to be even discussed on the land of Odisha. We have high respect for the apex court but either you follow dharma (religion) or not; people having no dharma of their own are speaking of secularism," said Mahesh Kumar Sahoo, member of VHP's Dharmacharya Sampark Bibhag.

“Construction of the second Konark Temple is my dream. I want to revive the art work, which has been billed as impossible by many. I wish to build the second Sun Temple and present it to the country,” Mohapatra had said seeking help from both the State and the Centre.