AAP Blames Delhi LG For Removal Of Temple, Mazaar For Construction Of Flyover In Bhajanpura

"We would like to request the LG that he should stop issuing demolition orders for religious places as people's beliefs are associated with it,” said AAP minister Atishi.

AAP minister Atishi blames Delhi LG for demolition of a temple and a mazaar

Source : PTI File Photo

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday blamed Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for removal of a temple and a mazaar in north east Delhi’s Bhajanpura Chowk to clear the way for construction of a flyover. "We would like to request the LG that he should stop issuing demolition orders for religious places as people's beliefs are associated with it,” AAP minister Atishi told news agency PTI. Both the religious structures were removed amid heavy police deployment on Sunday morning for the construction of the flyover, said the police. 

AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar claimed that the party had written a letter to the Delhi LG “asking him not to demolish religious places.” "BJP does not have anything to do with the beliefs of Hindus,” she alleged. 

The police, however, said the decision to remove the two structures was taken at a "religious committee" meeting a few days ago and a proper dialogue was held with the residents and local leaders.

"Everything happened very peacefully," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Joy Tirkey said after the structures were removed by the Public Works Department (PWD) amid heavy deployment of police, as per a PTI report. 

A Hanuman temple and a mazaar on the opposite sides of the road at Bhajanpura Chowk, said Tirkey, adding a decision was taken a few days ago at "religious committee" that both the structures would have to be removed to widen the road for the the Saharanpur flyover.

"This was planned a few days ago. But the local leaders here had asked the civil administration for some time to prepare and make some necessary arrangements. Today (Sunday), we spoke to all of them and after having a proper dialogue with them, both the religious structures were removed from here with everyone's cooperation. Even the devotees came here and performed their puja before the removal of the religious structure. The temple was removed by the priest himself," he said.