Congress, Muslims join chorus against Jaipur temple demolitions

Over the past few days, Hindu organisations have been protesting against the removal of several temples in Jaipur—being done by the district authorities in line with the 2013 Supreme Court orders on removal of unauthorised religious structures.

The Mandir Bachao Sangharsh Samiti — comprising members of the RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and other Hindu organisations besides other local residents — has made arrangements for the strike to be successful.

“We have identified more than 80 points for the ‘chakka jam’. Our volunteers will man these points to make the ‘chakka jam’ successful. No vehicles will be allowed to pass, barring those engaged in providing essential services,” said Badri Narayan, convener of the Samiti.

He requested residents not to commute through the city from 9 am to 11 am on Thursday to avoid inconvenience.

Interestingly, the opposition Congress, which had till now been criticising the BJP government for playing with popular sentiments, joined the cause on Wednesday with several party workers and office-bearers of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee protesting against the demolition of temples.

Several Muslim residents of the Walled City too joined the Congress workers, protesting against the “inappropriate” demolition of age-old temples. They demanded that no more temples be demolished and the ones that have already been razed, be re-constructed on the same locations where they once stood.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has filed a petition in the Rajasthan High Court, requesting the initiation of contempt proceedings against eight BJP MLAs, including state BJP president Ashok Parnami, and the Chief Secretary, for violating Supreme Court orders on removal of unauthorised illegal structures.