Devotees oppose bar opening

DEVOTEES of the 140-year-old Shri Vaithianatha Easvarar Alayam in Umgeni Road are opposed to plans of a restaurant and bar next to its place of worship.

Attorney Anand Nepaul this week lodged an objection with the KZN Liquor Authority on behalf of the temple against the application for a liquor licence.

“The operation of an on-consumption restaurant on the contiguous boundary of our client will interfere with the peace and quiet required for a place of worship. There are a substantial number of alternate on-consumption premises as well as retail outlets for liquor in the immediate vicinity of the subject site,” wrote Nepaul in his objection.

Nomthandazo Dlamini, acting communications manager for the KZN Liquor Authority, confirmed they received an application in September.

She said public participation started in October with a closing date this week.

“On November 23, 2022, the Liquor Authority received an objection from the Shri Vaithianatha Easvarar Alayam and an affidavit from Agarsprin Reddy (landlord) against this application and currently, we are

awaiting a response from the applicant in this regard whereafter an objection hearing will be scheduled. No other objections have been received at this point,” said Dlamini.

She said that by Friday the KZN Liquor Authority had not received a letter of withdrawal of application from the

applicant, however adding that the landlord had indicated through an affidavit that his lease was withdrawn.

Rehnaaz Reddy said her husband Andre, who owns the property at 48 Ivy Road, had terminated the tenant’s lease.

“Andre also signed the petition,” said Reddy.

An online petition on change.org against the opening of a restaurant that will sell alcohol next to the temple garnered over 2200 signatures.

“We are petitioning against the opening of this restaurant/nightclub as it goes against our religious practices and would also increase criminal activities in and around the area, and tarnish the image of our prestigious Alayam,” read the petition.

Nepaul in his letter said there was no need for a further on-consumption site.

He said the 140-year-old temple serves as a place of worship to Saivite and Vaishnavite adherents of the Hindu religion or to any person who conforms to the tenets and beliefs of the temple.

At the temple site, there are places of worship, venues for religious meetings, weddings, engagements and festivals, as well as accommodation facilities for priests and their families who reside on the property.

The temple and the premises for which the liquor licence was made, which until recently operated as a panel-beating and repair shop, both have entrances on Ivy Road in Greyville.

Nepaul said the applicant was aware of the long historic standing and operation of the religious facilities.

“Its application is therefore unreasonable as it was fully aware, alternatively ought to have been aware that the business of an on-consumption restaurant will interfere with our client, its activities, patrons and worshippers.

“The subject site does not have adequate parking facilities on its own premises to cater for the business of a restaurant and/or one offering on-consumption service.

“The occupants and/or visitors to 48 Ivy Road have repeatedly parked vehicles incorrectly and illegally across the Ivy Road entrance to our client’s properties. The entrance serves as an emergency entry/exit point to our clients’ premises.

“On certain religious events our client hosts up to 20 000 guests at its properties on certain individual prayer meetings,” said Nepaul.

Selven Thaver, chairman of the temple, said they would not allow a nightclub next to a religious institution.

“How can anyone even consider such a proposal next to a temple? The noise and disturbance it would cause. It is very disappointing for the devotees.

“This site is on a narrow road and this would create problems with parking,” said Thaver.

Attempts to reach the tenant were unsuccessful.