Shiva temple demolished in Alwar; BJP, Congress trade charges

A 300-year-old Shiva temple was demolished in Sarai Mohalla in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India Today reported. A complaint was filed against the Executive officer of the nagar panchayat, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the Rajgarh MLA to register a case in the police station.

Sharing a video of the incident on Twitter, BJP leader Amit Malviya launched a scathing attack on the Congress. He said, “Shedding tears on Karauli and Jahangirpuri and hurting the faith of Hindus — this is the secularism of Congress.” In another tweet, Amit Malviya alleged, “On 18 April, without issuing any notice, the administration ran bulldozers over the pucca houses and shops of 85 Hindus in Rajgarh town of Rajasthan.”

Congress says BJP lying

Rajasthan cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, however, called the BJP’s claim a lie. He alleged that the chairman of the Rajgarh Urban Bodies Board, who is a BJP member, proposed to bring down the temples and houses.

Also read: Rajasthan: BJP’s Tejasvi Surya, others stopped from visiting violence-hit Karauli

Khachariyawas, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, alleged that at the chairman’s behest, the temple was demolished, while a Congress MLA, kept on opposing (the decision). The minister also promised that the temple will be rebuilt if there are no legal impediments.

On April 6, the municipality had issued notices to 86 people over the removal of encroachments, India Today report said.

Hindu organisations protest

Following the incident, Hindu organisations filed a written complaint with police accusing Rajgarh MLA Johri Lal Meena, SDM Keshav Kumar Meena and Municipal EO Banwari Lal Meena of inciting riots. However, an FIR has not been registered yet.

In view of the growing controversy, Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam said he will meet locals on Friday. He said that the whole matter would be discussed with other police officers, according to the report.

Also read: Rajasthan govt transfers 69 IAS, Karauli gets new district collector