War Of Words Erupts Between Delhi LG, AAP Over Demolition Of Religious Structures – News18

Last Updated:January 03, 2025, 08:49 IST

Atishi accused the BJP-led Centre of ordering the demolition of several temples in the city. In response, LG VK Saxena claimed Arvind Kejriwal had ordered the demolition of nine temples in 2024.

A war of words broke out between Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Aam Aadmi Party after Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP-led Centre government of ordering the demolition of several temples in the national capital.

Stirring a major controversy, Atishi claimed that a ‘religious committee’ under the LG’s authority had ordered the demolition of six religious structures during a meeting on November 22, including Hindu temples and a Buddhist place of worship, in several parts of the city.

The LG’s Secretariat hit back at Atishi’s allegations, saying that 24 Hindu religious structures were approved for demolition by Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP government from 2016 to 2023, citing documents related to proceedings in the matter.

Kejriwal Approved Demolition of Religious Structures: LG

Saxena also alleged that Kejriwal ordered the demolition of nine temples in Delhi last year. “Kejriwal himself had on 08.02.2023, recommended the demolition of 9 temples in different parts of Delhi. Kejriwal and the then minister (Home) Manish Sisodia had approved the recommendations of the Religious Committee for demolition of these 9 temples,” the L-G Secretariat said in a note.

The office of the lieutenant governor also alleged that in 2016, the then-home minister Satyendra Jain had approved the demolition of eight temples in various parts of Delhi. “Documents reveal that from 2016 to 2023, 24 Hindu religious structures, including 22 temples, and just one Muslim religious structure were approved for demolition by Kejriwal and his ministers,” the statement claimed.

Additionally, the LG Secretariat revealed that in 2017, Jain had rejected the recommendations of the committee for the demolition of two unmarked mazaars, citing “religious sentiments and sensitivities.” This decision was made despite the committee having found no historical significance of these structures, with only five to 10 people visiting them weekly, it said.

AAP’s Response

Meanwhile, the AAP alleged that Saxena “directly controlled” the religious committee empowered to undertake the removal of religious structures in Delhi and that officers who were part of the committee were appointed by the Centre.

Responding to the LG’s allegations, the party demanded to know if the Principal Secretary (Home) was appointed by the Centre and whether the panel approved the demolition of five temples and one Buddhist structure.

“It is very clear that these officers have been appointed by the Central government, and the L-G directly controls the Religious Committee. It is amply clear that the L-G has been caught red-handed trying to order demolitions of temples through members directly appointed by him in the Religious Committee on the order of 22.11.2024. Therefore, the L-G is now trying to distract attention,” The Indian Express quoted AAP as saying.