After months of contentious debate among the neighbors and the organizers of the new Sanatan Dharam Mandir, the City Council, in its regular meeting, approved the construction of the Mandir in Henderson’s rural neighborhood. The agenda discussion and the public comments took over three hours before it was voted upon. The vote was 4-1. City councilwoman and the incoming Mayor of the City of Henderson, Michelle Romero, was the only vote against the new proposed Mandir.  

Mandir opponents outnumbered the supporters. A Group of NIMBYs, who wore orange-yellow color T-Shirts, spoke passionately against the project in their serene rural neighborhood. The federal laws openly support such religious places of gathering for worship and more. Supporters led by Baba Anal and Satish Bhatnagar gave inspirational and sometime confrontational speeches in support of the Mandir. One member of the LDS church spoke in support. A few members from the local Indian-American community, namely Meena Dadlani, Pramod Bhatnagar, Madhu Anal (Baba’s wife), Sulekh Jain, and Dilip Shukla among others, enlightened the City Council members on India’s religious diversity and a request for approval of Mandir.

Satish Bhatnagar (at video time 1:49) introduced himself to the council with a brief history of how he came to Las Vegas for a one-year position at UNLV, and now it has been 48 years. “I absolutely sympathize with orange-shirt fellows. I really have total understanding,” said Bhatnagar. He continued, “The City of HD is recognized for diversity, inclusion, and more. Diversity and inclusion is a part of the Hindu temple.”

Madhu Anal (at video time 1:54:35), wife of Baba Anal, spoke emotionally for approval of the Mandir complex as approved before by the planning commission. She greeted the council with Namaste and commented that the city hall is a temple. “You all have gods and goddesses…going to take a good decision from your heart, not from your brain,” said Madhu Anal. She continued, “In my whole life, I called Bharat India my motherland and America my fatherland. I never had any negative experience. So, when I was hearing them (opponents), I said why they are so hateful, why they are so angry, why they are so afraid, why they are so worried about. Jesus is my god, too; Jesus walked everywhere, didn’t talk about any boundaries…I was thinking Jesus talked about love, love your neighbor…where is the soul of the love? Where is the feeling of the love? I was sad, I talked to my Baba. My white family member, they told me this is not for you Amma. They have guns and then I told Baba, they can kill me. Baba said they can hurt you, make you handicapped, they may even kill you for what, to make first Hindu temple in Henderson. You’re not ready for a sacrifice. Baba said soul never dies, body come and go, that’s in the Hindu dharma so stay and be positive.”

Baba Anal followed his wife Madhu at video time 1:58:10. Baba informed the council that appeals has no merit, legal or moral grounds. He was furious with unnecessary opposition by the neighbors as the neighbors wants to put emotional pressure on the council to go against the federal laws. “The City of Henderson has already approved four churches in RNP, how the City of Henderson can say NO to the proposed Hindu Temple,” argued Anal. Finally, Anal added, “City of Henderson cannot discriminate against us because the color is brown and faith is different.”  

Sulekh Jain (at video time 2:12:20), stated “when I walked in here I see many of our friends wearing orange t-shirts. I thought to be in the company of Hindu monks and nuns. India is a land of religion, some of the oldest religions of the world are in India. We are about 16,000 people of Indian origin here. There’s no temple in Henderson.” Jain concluded his speech with, “I want to ensure all the neighbors we will bring peace, tranquility, beauty, art, compassion, care, share and more.”

Dilip Shukla (at video time 2:54:55), addressed the member of the council and all the opponents who were present by commenting – “nobody should fear; it will be pleasant for all.” Shukla mentioned that when he entered here he was pleased to see opponents in orange color t-shirts as this is a holy Hindu color and feel RNP on the T-Shirts stands for Really Nice People.

The biggest challenge to the project came from Satish’s daughter Archna (at video time 2:39:00), who submitted a copy of a letter to the city from Satish Bhatnagar’s wife, Chandra Prabha. The letter was addressed to her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Baba and Madhu Anal, opposing the mandir project. Satish and Prabha’s adult children are united in condemning Anal’s (their uncle & aunt) of grabbing their parents’ money and accusing the duo of elder abuse. A city councilwoman had to interfere and reminded Archna that the meeting was about zoning issues; however, any accusation of elder abuse should be taken to the State. 

On the opposition side, the same arguments from all the neighbors on how the Mandir’s rural atmosphere will be disturbed. However, with their message, one neighbor strongly criticized Baba and his wife, Madhu Anal (at video time 2:15:40). He said, “Baba, all you guys have talked about is peace, but I didn’t sense any peace when you were standing up here.   Council, I think you all have heard what we have heard, and old lady bringing up violence. No one anyone here has mentioned violence once. The fact is she wants to mention guns and violence. No one has even gone there. Shame on both of you.”

After over three hours of a public hearing, the city council approved the first Hindu Mandir in Henderson, the second-largest city in Nevada.