According to reports published in India yesterday, local opposition to the Indian Grand Prix is growing thanks to a religious controversy that pits farmers against F1 officials.

The controversy centres on the location of the Buddh International Circuit, which is only 150 metres away from a temple sacred to local farmers and villagers. The locals are concerned that the temple - which is currently inaccessible due to ongoing construction work at the circuit - might be demolished.

There are also concerns that, should the temple remain standing, access will be cut off. As yet, they have been given no assurances to the contrary.

A local cremation site situated a few hundred metres from the temple will be moved, as its present position puts it within the circuit's boundaries. Unsurprisingly, the locals also object to the relocation of the cremation site.

Further aggravating the locals is the fact that the circuit has been positioned in such a way that a number of local villages which were easily accessible on foot have now been effectively cut off, as circumventing the site is not practical.

The Hindustan Times interviewed head priest Balak Das about the locals' opposition to the construction work. According to Das, the temple once sat on huge grounds that have now been reduced to around 30 square metres. Previous problems with temple access have led to demonstrations, and the locals are prepared to come out in force if their needs are not taken into consideration.

"When all our pleas fell on deaf ears, we had no option but to seek court intervention," senior village official Ekta Nagar told the Hindustan Times. The matter will be heard by the Allahabad High Court on 18 May.

Nagar represents two of the villages that sold tracts of land to Jaypee Sport International for circuit development, but he is concerned that the needs of the grand prix have overshadowed the needs of the local population.

Villager Sunder Singh told the Hindustan Times: "Hundreds of devotees throng the temple on Sundays. Hurting the religious sentiments can turn things ugly. It should be sorted out amicably."

Circuit officials are confident that they can find a solution that will work for all parties. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Jaypee Sport MD and CEO Sameer Gaur said "we fully empathise with the local people. We are talking to the people concerned and are confident a solution would be found. Whatever we decide, we will make sure it does not hurt any feelings."