Cuttack, July 29: A public interest litigation (PIL) filed in Orissa High Court has sought the direction for demolition of all "unauthorised" religious structures on the Utkal University campus.

"At present, as many as 21 temples are there on the campus that is spread over 400 acres," the petition read.

It also alleged that "inaction" of the varsity authorities had paved the way for these religious structures.

"Taking advantage of the authority's inaction or their indirect approval, a group of people with vested interests have been collecting funds from common people in the name of religion and also observing rituals, creating nuisance," the petition read.

B. Rama Chandra C.S.T. Voltaire, 71, a local resident who represents the Free Thought Party of India (FTPI), has filed the PIL.

The petition carries photographs of eight temples that had come up on the campus. They included a Hanuman temple, two Ram temples, and one temple each of Maa Mangala, Trinath, Radha Krishna and Maa Santoshi.

"A group of people with vested interests built the shrines for their personal or group interest," the petition read, seeking the court's direction "to demolish the temples and religious structures built over the premises of Utkal University and recovery of funds spent from the university exchequer."

"The varsity authorities are becoming instrumental in wasting national property as well as manpower and also spoiling the study atmosphere on the campus of Utkal University by allowing the construction of unauthorised temples," the petition stated.

It also sought the court's direction "to instruct the authorities of all the colleges under its jurisdiction to demolish all types of religious structures on their campus and not allow anyone to raise such structures inside any institution."

Established in 1943, the varsity has around 3,000 students in 27 postgraduate departments. Besides, as many as 346 affiliated colleges are under its jurisdiction.

"The petition filed last week has not been listed for hearing by the court so far," petitioner counsel Kshirod Rout said.