Buddhist monks oppose Film Nagar on Thotalkonda

‘Cinema shooting, constructing clubs would hurt sentiments of followers of Buddhism’, says Bora Venugopal Gautam.
Buddhist monks stage a protest near Vizag collectorate against the Filmnagar Cultural Centre proposed on Thotlakonda, on Wednesday | Express
Buddhist monks stage a protest near Vizag collectorate against the Filmnagar Cultural Centre proposed on Thotlakonda, on Wednesday | Express

VISAKHAPATNAM: Taking a strong exception to the allotment of 15 acres to the Film Nagar’s Cultural Centre proposed atop Thotalkonda, the Buddhist heritage tourist destination, the members of District Maha Bodhi Society staged a dharna opposite the collectorate on Wednesday.

Bora Venugopal Gautam, the general secretary of the District Maha Bodhi Society, said, “Alloting land for cinema shooting and constructing clubs and buildings for film-related meetings in a religious site would harm the sentiments of the followers of Buddhism. The bhoomi puja by the Film Nagar’s centre was also performed on October 9.” Hence, we staged a dharna in protest and also submitted a memorandum to the collector on Wednesday for alloting the land,” he added.

Two Buddhist monks Dhamananda Banthe and Mettananda Banthe supported the cause by staging an agitation along with 30 people. A dharna was also staged at NAD and Gajuwaka on October 23 and 24 to spread the message to people. President E Vabulu, honourable president K Umapathi were present during the agitation.

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