Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday accused the BJP of planning to demolish Hindu temples and a Buddhist religious site in the city, while highlighting the AAP’s promise to provide a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 to priests and granthis.
No immediate response was available from the BJP or Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s office regarding the allegations.
Atishi alleged that a ‘Religious Committee’ under the lieutenant governor had, during a meeting on November 22, ordered the demolition of six religious structures, including Hindu temples and a Buddhist worship site, in various parts of the city.
In a sharp rebuttal, the LG’s office denied the allegations, accusing Atishi of indulging in “cheap politics,” and claimed no such demolition orders were received.
Addressing a press conference, Atishi dismissed the LG’s office’s statement as “completely false” and presented a copy of the committee’s meeting minutes. “The file of Committee’s order was sent to the BJP-led Centre’s representative LG. The LG has given approval to the decision,” she claimed.
She further stated that the MCD, DM offices, and police had been informed and were preparing for the demolition of the religious sites. A Buddhist structure in Sunder Nagri, which houses a statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar, is among those slated for demolition, she added.
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Atishi explained that the Religious Committee was formed under a Supreme Court directive and previously operated under the Delhi government’s Home minister, with decisions requiring the minister’s approval. However, she claimed the LG last year shifted the jurisdiction of demolition or relocation of religious sites to the Centre and his office, bypassing the Delhi government.
The chief minister alleged that the BJP’s intent to demolish the religious places exposed its “two-faced” nature, accusing the party of claiming to defend Hindus while secretly planning temple demolitions.
“The two-faced BJP has been exposed. On one hand they claim to be defenders of the Hindus and on the other hand they surreptitiously plan for demolition of temples,” she charged, PTI reported.
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Atishi demanded the LG’s office withdraw the demolition orders if it had no intent to proceed. She contrasted the BJP’s record with the AAP’s commitment to religious communities, reiterating her party’s promise to financially support Hindu priests and gurdwara granthis upon returning to power in Delhi.
The six religious structures marked for demolition are located in West Patel Nagar, Dilshad Garden, Sunder Nagri, Seema Puri, Gokal Puri, and New Usmanpur.
(With PTI Inputs)