Delhi Cong warns of protests over proposed demolition of 2 temples

The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) opposed the proposed demolition of ancient Neeli Chhatri Temple and Panch Bawari Kuldevta Temple near the Yamuna bank, warning of severe consequences if any such move is carried out.

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A delegation of Congress leaders, led by former Delhi Minister Rajinder Pal Gautam, visited Neeli Chhatri Temple at Salim Garh Fort on Ring Road on Monday. The leaders accused the BJP-led Central Government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Public Works Department (PWD) of acting under the influence of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to raze these religious sites.

The Congress delegation included Mudit Agarwal, Delhi Congress Committee (DCC) president Javed Mirza, advocate Sunil Kumar, former SC/ST Department chairman Sunil Kumar, Harnam Singh, Satish Tank, Manoj Gupta and Rahul Dabla.

The Congress leaders claimed that two temples near Neeli Chhatri Temple had already been demolished without prior notice. They also highlighted the recent razing of 100-year-old Pracheen Shri Chow Mukha Mahadev Mandir and Ganesh Mandir, warning that any attempt to demolish the Valmiki community’s Kuldevta Temple would be met with strong protests.

“Thousands of devotees visit these temples to offer prayers. We will not allow their religious sentiments to be trampled upon,” said Gautam, adding that Congress workers would take to the streets if necessary. The Congress leaders also condemned the demolition of nearly 80 jhuggis in the vicinity, where residents had been living for the past 70–80 years, without any alternative housing arrangements.