LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The leaders of Anand Utsav Mandir, a Hindu temple set to be built in rural Henderson, are moving forward with their legal battle with the city.
Back in May, FOX5 reported the American Hindu Association accused Henderson leaders of discrimination after implementing a new rural ordinance that would block building religious facilities in certain rural areas.
Despite the block, Hindu worshippers still celebrated Diwali on the five acre dirt lot near Lisbon and Berlin. The area was supposed to house the temple.
Diwali symbolizes light over darkness, which is where religious leader Baba Anal said his fight has found him, in the dark.
Plans for the temple started two years ago, and the temple has not broken ground yet.
“This is why we filed for discrimination,” Anal said.
Discrimination is one of the several counts in a complaint sent to the Department of Justice. Filed by Anal, it states the city of Henderson violated their religious rights.
Despite strong objections from neighbors, Henderson issued the temple a permit two years ago after voting in favor of it.
The lone “no” vote came from the mayor, who was then Councilwoman Michelle Romero.
FOX5’s Victoria Saha: Who do you think is to blame here?
Anal: The city mayor
Romero turned down FOX5’s request for an interview.
Anal said he is upset because one month before the temple’s permit expired, the city changed an ordinance which would make the temple’s original permit not applicable.
The ordinance would block religious facilities, airports and schools from being built in rural areas like where the temple land is.
However, there are three churches nearby.
Saha: Why did you not take action before the permit was going to expire?
Anal: The Henderson law clearly says the extension will expire. Once it expires, we will have to file it again.
Saha: So you are saying you were told to refile the extension?
Anal: We did that one too, but it was rejected because they said new ordinance will be effective.
Even with the standstill, Anal and supporters of the temple are still treating the five acre dirt lot as holy ground and still dreams of the temple being built.
“A beautiful temple for the Hindu community and not just Hindu community,” Anal said.
The case is still in the hands of the DOJ to figure out where it would go next, but Anal tells FOX5 he will continue to fight even if that means taking it up to the Supreme Court.
In our previous follow-up, we asked Mayor Romero the following questions:
- Why did she vote no on the Oct. 4, 2022 public hearing meeting hearing regarding the Conditional Use Permit?
- Why was there a change in the new ordinance of preserving rural areas and when did that idea start floating around and by whom?
- Why was an extension not approved?
Those questions were not fully answered back then. However, FOX5 received a statement Tuesday from Romero that says the following:
However, the DOJ tells FOX5 this is still an ongoing matter.
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