Watford temple can stay open for now...
BUT TRUSTEES SEEK PERMANENT SOLUTION AFTER LEASE EXTENDED
THE lease of a Hindu temple in Hertfordshire has been extended after a successful campaign that was backed by more than 13,000 people.
The Vel Murugan Temple, which is currently based in Woodside Playing Field’s former bowls club in Watford, has seen its lease increased for a short tenure by the local council until January 3, 2022. The building was due to be vacated last Friday (17).
A campaign to extend the lease was supported by 13,379 signatures
“This minority Hindu community in Watford needs their temple to practise their faith, worship, congregate and to come to the temple for their festivals, celebrations, and important religious ceremonies that are essential to their everyday lives,” campaign organisers said.
The temple was originally on Exchange Road but was temporarily relocated to Woodside Playing Fields.
It is believed to be closed by the Watford Borough Council as the council plans to build a sports village on the site. However, the council apparently made the decision without the temple having an alternative place to move into.
Prashanth Elangovan, a temple spokesman and Conservative party council candidate for the Meriden ward, told Eastern Eye they were happy with the decision to extend the lease. However, he expressed concern the temple would still close in the future.
“We are afraid that instead of saving the temple, it will just close a little bit later,” said Elangovan, noting the short-term lease.
He said Watford mayor Peter Taylor had agreed to hold more meetings to discuss a possible relocation after signing a lease agreement with the temple’s trustees.
“I hope mayor Taylor will provide meaningful help in finding a permanent site for the temple and support the minority Hindu community,” he said.
Elangovan said the temple was important to elderly people in the local area, especially those who could not drive.
“The Hare Krishna Temple is 20 minutes by car from central Watford and the other temples are 45 minutes away,” he explained. “It is necessary to have a local temple at such times. It hurt the hearts of the local Hindus to write a letter asking the council to move the goods and change the lock.”
Taylor had earlier told the Watford Observer that “this public campaign to save the temple was political and they are trying to work with the Vel Murugan Trust to find a solution. The extension of the lease will give time for proper discussions.”
Thanking those who had signed the petition, Elangovan said he hoped Taylor would consider the concerns of the community.
“The mayor has extended the deadline due to public pressure and we want a permanent solution,” he said.
Businessman Lord Rami Ranger, Watford MP Dean Russell, and former MP Keith Vaz, have also expressed support for the temple and have written to the mayor urging him to take appropriate action.