New Delhi, Jan 1 (Representative) Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday alleged that the religious committee under the central government has ordered the demolition of several temples and Buddhist sites in the national capital, a claim that the BJP has denied. Speaking to reporters, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) senior leader Atishi accused the BJP-led central government of planning to demolish numerous temples and Buddhist sites across various parts of Delhi. “In a meeting held on November 22, the religious committee decided to demolish several temples, and the file was subsequently sent to the Lieutenant Governor, who approved it.
Now, agencies like DDA, MCD, Delhi Police, and the concerned DM-SDM are preparing to carry out the demolitions,” Atishi claimed. “Several areas, including Sundar Nagri, Seemapuri, Sultanpuri, West Patel Nagar, and New Usmanpur, where temples are slated for demolition as per the November 22 meeting of the religious committee,” Atishi added. She pointed out that similar actions were taken last year when a part of a Shani temple in Vinod Nagar, Patparganj, was openly demolished based on orders from the central government. Atishi also highlighted that Religious Committee, which previously operated under the Delhi Home Minister, was placed under the jurisdiction of the LG last year, following an order that categorized the demolition of religious sites as a law-and-order issue. “Religious committee in Delhi is responsible for decisions regarding the relocation and demolition of religious sites.
This committee earlier functioned under the Delhi Home Minister, but last year, the Lieutenant Governor issued an order stating that matters related to the demolition of religious sites are law-and-order issues and therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the central government and the Lieutenant Governor,” She said. “Religious committee is chaired by the Principal Secretary (Home), who is appointed by the central government. The Principal Secretary takes decisions, which are then sent to the Lieutenant Governor, a representative of the central government, for approval,” Atishi said. Atishi also claimed that despite the Lieutenant Governor’s office denying any decision to demolish temples when she wrote to them on Tuesday, the reality is different.