Saints, Hindu leaders met Delhi CM, appeal for protecting temples

New Delhi. June 22: Hindu leaders led by saints met Chief Minister of Delhi and appealed her to save temples to be demolished by the government as per the directives of the Delhi High Court.

‘Hindu Dharm Sthal Raksha Samiti’ delegation led by Swami Raghavanand and Mahant Naval Kishore Dass was welcomed by the Chief Minister Sheila Dixit at her residence.

She immediately called up the Chief Secretary of Delhi to ensure that no religious structure was demolished in Delhi.

The delegation also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister in this regard.

Detailing about the meeting, Vinod Bansal, spokesperson of the Samiti said that the Chief Minister listened to their demands keenly and assured the delegation that no religious place in Delhi would be demolished. If necessary we might approach the Supreme Court to save the temples, the Chief Minister added.

It is important to note that the Delhi High Court vide its order dated 22/05/13 ordered immediate demolition of 74 religious structures in Delhi. The order was issued based on the list of such religious places, said to have been built on DDA land, submitted by the Chief Secretary of Delhi. It was prepared by the “religious committee” headed by the Lt. Governor.

The court had fixed 22nd of Aug 2013, the next date of hearing in the matter. Till then, the Chief Secretary of the state have to submit ATR after handing over possession of such land to the DDA.

Large number of devotees is getting agitated in different parts of the national capital to protect their temples. Out of the total number of 74 religious structures, 54 are temples and Gurudwaras in the list. “None of the temples is illegal or constructed on the land of DDA,” said Ram Pal Singh, the Secretary General of the Committee.

Sardar Ujagar Singh, Swami Om ji, Anil Gupta, Dinesh Tyagi, advocate S D Bindlesh and Richhpal Singh were amongst those who meet the Chief Minister at her residence.