Delhi: Temple, dargah demolished in Bhajanpura under tight security
Delhi's Public Works Department (PWD) reportedly demolished a dargah and a temple in the Bhajanpura Chowk area under tight security on Sunday morning. According to reports, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police personnel were deployed to prevent any untoward incident. Before razing the temple building to the ground, prayers were offered, and the statues of deities were reportedly moved to a secured facility.
Visuals of PWD demolishing temple, dargah in Delhi's Bhajanpura
Reason behind demolition of temple, dargah
Speaking to ANI, Deputy Commissioner Of Police (Northeast Delhi) Joy N Tirkey revealed that the move to demolish the religious structures was made after a Delhi Religious Committee meeting to widen the roads of the Saharanpur Highway as construction work is ongoing. Furthermore, Tirkey also stated that the demolition process took place peacefully.
Drone cameras deployed by police to maintain security
"Demolition drive is underway peacefully at Bhajanpura Chowk. A decision was taken by the Religious Committee of Delhi to remove a Hanuman Temple and a Mazar to further widen the road for Saharanpur Highway," DCP Tirkey earlier said. Meanwhile, drone cameras were also deployed in the area to help avoid any unwarranted incidents and ensure security during the demolition process.
Video of DCP Tirkey addressing the media
AAP leader reacts to temple, dargah demolition in Delhi
Reacting to the news of the demolition, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi PWD Minister Atishi Marlena tweeted she had earlier requested Delhi Lieutenant (L-G) VK Saxena not to destroy religious places in the national capital. In a long Twitter post on Sunday, the AAP leader once again appealed to Saxena to take back his decision to demolish religious structures in Delhi.
Atishi's request to L-G Saxena
In Hindi, Atishi tweeted, "Mr. LG: I had written a letter to you a few days back requesting you to take back your decision to demolish temples and other religious places in Delhi." "But today, again, on your orders, a temple has been demolished in Bhajanpura," she said. "I request that temples and other religious places not be demolished in Delhi," added Atishi.
