Reddy assures Khurana of stopping indiscriminate demolition

New Delhi, Oct 14 (UNI) The government today agreed in principle to stop the demolition of religious structures around the Yamuna bank following a delegation representation of religious leaders this afternoon.

Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy assured a delegation led by former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana, who met him this afternoon, that besides the historic temples and gurudwaras, he would see that indiscriminate demolitions were not carried out all over the city.

''Mr Reddy was very positive to the suggestion and agreed in principle to stop the demolition of ancient temples and gurudwaras, which were tied to people's sentiments,'' Mr Khurana later told mediapersons.

''On the demolition of buildings, Mr Reddy said the government would file an affidavit on behalf of three lakh shopkeepers with the Supreme Court, while the 45,000 shopkeepers who have already done so on their own will be supported by it,'' informed Mr Khurana.

The goverment had completed the survey and would soon announce several other roads as 'commercial', besides the already 2,200 declared so far, he said Mr Reddy said he would definitely save Delhi from the demolition onslaught, he added.

The minister also asked the delegation, during his 45-minute meeting, to put forward their demand in the form of a memorandum after Diwali, Mr Khurana added.

The delegation included Swami Hansrajji Maharaj, Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) leader H S Sarna, former Delhi minister Rajendra Gupta and religious leaders from various 'akharas'.

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