Protests, political slugfest after removal of grille near temple

The Public Works Department (PWD) ordered the demolition of a grille surrounding the temple, which was carried out during the day amid police presence. A crowd of around 80, comprising local residents and Bajrang Dal activists, raised slogans such as ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and opposed the action.

Temple priest Jaiprakash Shukla said, “We were here for our morning prayer at 7 am and saw the authorities approaching. We mobilised people via WhatsApp to gather and chant slogans for the temple’s protection.”

Many people also claimed they were assaulted by security personnel, a charge police denied. Mausam, who was sitting in protest outside the temple, alleged, “Women police officers came and started hitting us. They tore my clothes and hit me with sticks.”

DCP (East) Amrutha Guguloth said, “PWD sought out our help with the anti-encroachment drive as the grille was obstructing the footpath. The law and order situation is normal and work is complete.”

Meanwhile, the BJP blamed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for sanctioning the demolition. PWD minister Atishi, however, said the orders were passed by BJP through L-G VK Saxena.

She wrote to Saxena asking him to withdraw his decision to demolish 14 religious structures. “People’s faith is attached to temples and other religious structures. That is why I urge you to withdraw this decision of demolishing 11 temples and three mazars so that religious feelings of people are not hurt,” she wrote.

Atishi said she was informed by PWD officials that earlier in the year, when the file to demolish these 14 religious structures had come to then Home Minister Manish Sisodia, through the Religious Committee, he had opposed it saying maps of the projects planned in these areas should be altered. “But when this file came to you from Sisodia, you rejected his proposal and directed that religious structures should be demolished,” she wrote.

The BJP, however, said demolition of the peripheral boundary grille was planned and executed by PWD, which is headed by Atishi. “The Kejriwal government has absolute control over PWD, whose officials work as per the CM’s whims, like they did by breaking all rules to construct his palatial bungalow. Today, Atishi wants Delhiites to believe she was powerless to stop PWD from taking action,” Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva claimed.

L-G House officials did not respond to the allegations.