Temple, mazaar demolished in Delhi’s Bhajanpura for flyover amid heavy security  

The Public Works Department demolished a temple and a mazaar in Delhi’s Bhajanpura Chowk on Sunday (July 2) morning amid heavy security to make space for the construction of a flyover.

Reports said the decision to remove the two structures was taken at a “religious committee” meeting a few days ago and a proper dialogue was held with the residents and local leaders.

“Everything happened very peacefully,” PTI quoted Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Joy Tirkey as saying following the demolition of the religious structures.

There was a Hanuman temple and a mazaar on either side of the road at Bhajanpura Chowk. The need to demolish these structures to pave way for a flyover was taken by a “religious committee” in the area a few days back, Tirkey said.

“This was planned a few days ago. But the local leaders here had asked the civil administration for some time to prepare and make some necessary arrangements. Today (Sunday), we spoke to all of them and after having a proper dialogue with them, both the religious structures were removed from here with everyone’s cooperation. Even the devotees came here and performed their puja before the removal of the religious structure. The temple was removed by the priest himself,” he said.

Police said adequate security force has been deployed in the area to ensure the PWD is provided all the necessary assistance. Northeast Delhi is considered a communally sensitive area. It witnessed riots in 2020 in which over 50 people lost their lives and more than 250 were injured

The AAP government, however, has protested against the demolition. Mentioning Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena in a tweet on the demolitions, Delhi cabinet minister Atishi said, “LG sir: Few days ago, I had written a letter requesting you to withdraw your decision to demolish temples and other religious places in Delhi. But today a temple in Bhajanpura was demolished again. I request you again to ensure that temples and other religious structures are not demolished in Delhi. People’s faith is attached to them.”

She had written to the Lt Governor on June 22 requesting him to withdraw the decision of demolition of religious places. Her letter came following a row between locals and the authorities in east Delhi’s Mandawali area when officials allegedly removed the grille encroaching upon the footpath near a temple on June 22. It led to rumours that the authorities were there to demolish the temple.

(With inputs from agencies)