NEW DELHI: Referring to decisions taken by the religious committee of Delhi govt in a meeting in Nov, chief minister Atishi has written a letter to lieutenant governor VK Saxena and urged him to stop the demolition of places of worship in the capital.
In the letter, Atishi stated that the religious committee ordered the demolition of numerous religious structures all across Delhi in a meeting held on Nov 22.
The LG’s secretariat, however, said that no file to demolish a religious structure reached it. “CM is playing cheap politics to divert attention from her own and her predecessor’s failures,” it stated.
Mentioning the addresses of six such structures, which she claimed were among those approved by the religious committee for shifting or demolition, Atishi said that until last year the decisions taken by the panel were sent for the LG’s approval via CM and minister (home), Delhi.
“As elected representatives, who are constantly in touch with the people of Delhi, we will ensure that no religious sentiments are hurt. However, in an order issued last year, your office stated that the demolition of religious structures is a matter related to ‘public order’ and does not fall under the purview of the elected govt and will be directly under the purview of LG. Since then, the work of the religious committee has been directly monitored by you,” Atishi stated in her letter.
“Demolition of these structures will hurt the religious sentiments of these communities. On behalf of the people of Delhi, I would like to request you not to demolish any of these temples and places of worship in the enclosed list,” she added.
The LG’s secretariat, however, stated that neither any temple, mosque, church, nor any place of worship was being broken/demolished, nor any file to this effect had been received by it. “LG has issued strict instructions to the police to maintain extra vigilance against forces who may indulge in deliberate vandalism for political benefits. His instructions are being strictly followed, as was witnessed during the just-concluded Christmas celebrations, which did not see any untoward incident,” it added.
BJP also slammed CM over the letter to LG.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva accused Atishi of disturbing communal harmony by making such statements. He claimed the religious committee was chaired by Delhi govt’s home minister who reported to both CM and LG. “Atishi should clarify whether the home department under her govt has made any such recommendation,” he said.
Sachdeva further stated that AAP had questioned the Citizenship Amendment Act ahead of the 2020 assembly polls, “which subsequently led to riots in the city”. “Atishi should immediately withdraw her statement,” he added.
