Temple and Mazar demolished in Delhi’s Bhajanpura for road widening project

A Hanuman temple and a Mazar were demolished in Delhi’s Bhajanpura Chowk area on Sunday morning.

The demolition of the illegally built religious structures was conducted to pave the way for a road widening project, officials at the scene have confirmed.

“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,” Dr Joy N Tirkey, DCP North East, said.

A Public Works Department (PWD) team reached the Bhajanpura Chowk area at around 6:00 AM, accompanied by a heavy deployment of CRPF and police forces.

According to DCP Tirkey, the decision to remove the religious structures was taken in a meeting of the Delhi Religious Committee to facilitate the road widening project for the construction of the Saharanpur Highway.

“The decision [to remove the structures] was approved by the Religious Committee and following the orders of Lieutenant Governor, this demolition drive was carried out. It was done peacefully and there was no problem,” Sharat Kumar, Seelampur SDM, said.

PWD head Atishi opposes Bhajanpura temple demolition

The move to demolish the temple and Mazar was opposed by Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Atishi, who requested Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, to stop the drive.

Posting a tweet in Hindi, she said, “LG Sir: I had written a letter to you a few days back requesting you to take back your decision to demolish temples and other religious places in Delhi. But today again on your orders a temple has been demolished in Bhajanpura.”

“I request you again that temples and other religious places should not be demolished in Delhi. People’s faith is attached to these,” she added.

A similar request was also submitted to the LG by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.