Protest In Delhi's Mandawali Over Removal Of Temple Railing, AAP Minister Says 'Action Taken On Orders Of LG'

Delhi Protest: The locals shouted slogans against the police over the removal of a temple's railing. Paramilitary forces were deployed along with the local police for maintaining law and order in Mandawali.

A large number of people gathered in Delhi's Mandawali area to protest against the removal of a temple's railing amid police presence. The Deputy Commissioner Of Police of East Delhi, Amrutha Guguloth, said that the railing of a temple was removed under the Public Works Department's encroachment program while assuring that Law and order situation is normal. The locals shouted slogans against the police administration while paramilitary forces were present along with the local police for maintaining law and order. Local BJP councilor Ravi Negi was also present at the spot. 

"PWD's encroachment program to remove the railing of a temple was scheduled here today. We have provided them assistance and the railing has been removed. Law and order situation is normal": Amrutha Guguloth, DCP East Delhi, said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

In visuals from the spot, women protestors were seen moving toward the police with sticks and shovels while the police dispersed the crowd. Local women protestors accused the police of "misbehaving" with them.

One of the women involved in anti-encroachment action said that the step was taken on the basis of someone's complaint.

Protestors, a lot of them women, say that there is no encroachment at any level there. People opposing the removal raised slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" and also prayed in front of the temple.

Mandawali Temple: BJP, AAP Trade Blame

Ruling AAP and the BJP are trading blame for the anti-encroachment action as Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdev accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of showing his "anti-Hindu face", while Delhi Minister Atishi claimed that the removal was authorised by the Lieutenant Governor.

"Not only BJP workers were opposing (to the removal of portion of temple), but they also got injured, including two BJP councillors. This action exposes (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal's anti-Hindu face," Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdev told news agency PTI. 

Delhi PWD minister Atishi said, "This action has been taken on the orders of LG. The then minister Manish Sisodia disapproved of all demolitions, but the LG overruled his decision and gave direction to demolish 10 temples in Delhi."

Meanwhile, East Delhi District Magistrate said that the railing was not from the temple and confusion happened even though there was prior information given.

"This was not a drive to demolish the temple, but to remove a railing on the footpath next to the temple. This railing was constructed by some people, a few months ago...it was blocking the way...people were informed that this railing would be removed, this was not the temple railing. Despite that, some confusion happened," Anil Banka, DM, East Delhi told ANI.

As per the police, there was no obstruction in traffic due to the protest and the situation is under control. 

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