Demolition drive should not be politicised: NCCL president

Ahmedabad, Nov 28 (UNI) The demolition drive of places of worship in Ahmedabad and Gandhingar by the Gujarat government is necessary for development and should not be politicised in the name of religion, National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL) president V K Saxena here today said.

''Faith can't be disregarded or dishonoured with the removal of a few structures. It is deep-seated and mature enough to make its way for community safety and public prosperity,'' Mr Saxena said, adding that the drive should be viewed in right spirit.

Urging the people not to construct any place of worship on roads, he asked them to protect the national monuments and heritage buildings instead.

He further observed that there were certain elements in the society, who for their own vested interests built such structures of worship on roads or public property.

''Such constructions cause hindrance in the way of urban planning and development,'' Mr Saxena added.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday ordered to halt the demolition drive going on in Gandhinagar after protests from several saffron groups, including VHP and Bajrang Dal.

The Modi government had recently razed over 90 religious structures, mostly temples.

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