Temple, Dargah Razed In Demolition Drive At Delhi's Bhajanpura Amid Tight Security

Public Works Department (PWD) carried out a demolition drive at Delhi's Bhajanpura area on Sunday to remove a Hanuman Temple and a dargah. A large number of police and CRPF personnel were deployed during the demolition to avoid any unwarranted incident.

The demolition drive was conducted to widen the road for Saharanpur Highway.

DCP Northeast, Joy N Tirke said the decision to demolish the religious structures was taken by the Religious Committee of Delhi to widen the road for Saharanpur Highway.

"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. Both structures are removed peacefully," Tirke said.

Seelampur sub divisional magistrate Sharat Kumar the decision was approved by the religious committee and following the orders of lieutenant governor VK Saxena.

Police said adequate security force has been deployed in the area to ensure the PWD is provided all the necessary assistance.

Meanwhile, Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi tweeted about the demolition of the religious structures.

"LG sir: Few days ago, I had written a letter requesting you to withdraw your decision to demolish temples and other religious places in Delhi. But today a temple in Bhajanpura was demolished again. I request you again to ensure that temples and other religious structures are not demolished in Delhi. People's faith is attached to them," she said in a tweet in Hindi.

She had written to Lt Governor V K Saxena on June 22 requesting him to withdraw the decision of demolition of religious places.

Her letter came following a row between locals and the authorities in east Delhi's Mandawali area when officials allegedly removed the grille encroaching upon the footpath near a temple on June 22. It led to rumours that the authorities were there to demolish the temple.

Northeast Delhi is considered a communally sensitive area. It witnessed riots in 2020 in which over 50 people lost their lives and more than 250 were injured.