Delhi Election: BJP Accuses AAP Of 'Demolishing' 24 Temples In Delhi, Claims Kejriwal Issued 'Fatwas' To Do So

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of demolishing 24 temples in Delhi between 2016 and 2023.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla cited documents to support his claim that AAP leaders had issued orders for the demolition of 24 temples during their governance in the national capital.

Photo Credit: PTI

Arvind Kejriwal's AAP has been in power in Delhi for over a decade.

Poonawalla alleged that Kejriwal issued "fatwas" to demolish the temples.

"The documents that have emerged in the public domain through the media clearly demonstrate that there is no party more deceitful in this country, or the world, than the Aam Aadmi Party. Those who accuse others-what is their own track record? From 2016 to 2023, documents with signatures reveal how the AAP chief minister and ministers issued fatwas to demolish nearly 24 temples," he said.

The BJP leader also alleged that former Home Minister Satyendar Jain had authorised the demolition of eight temples in 2016 while intervening to save two unspecified mosques.

"In 2016, a fatwa to demolish eight temples was signed by Satyendar Jain, who was the home minister at the time. Interestingly, Satyendar Jain intervened to save two unidentified mosques without any historical significance but remained silent on the temples," he said.

Poonawalla claimed that the AAP is the "biggest anti-Hindu party" in the country.

"Today, the biggest anti-Hindu party is the Aam Aadmi Party. Along with their alliance partners-DMK, TMC, Left, and Congress-they consistently oppose Sanatan Dharma. Yet AAP remains silent in response. And now they claim they will provide compensation to priests," he added.

Atishi Accuses BJP of Demolishing Temples

On January 1, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP of ordering the demolition of several temples in the city. She alleged that during a meeting of the Religious Committee on 22 November, it was decided to demolish temples in West Patel Nagar, Dilshad Garden, Seemapuri, Gokalpuri, New Usmanpur, Sultanpuri, and a Buddhist temple in Sundar Nagari.

"The BJP's dual face is exposed through such orders. On the one hand, they pretend to protect Hinduism, while on the other, they secretly direct their appointed officers and LG to demolish temples," she said during a press conference.

(With ANI inputs)