A day after Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s claim on temple demolition, the Lieutenant Governor Secretariat on Thursday called it a political game with communal overtones being played out and alleged that in 2023, Chief Minister Atishi and then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recommended the demolition of nine temples in different parts of the city.

The LG Secretariat was reacting to an allegation made by Aitshi that the BJP-led Central government is planning to bring down some temples and Buddhist places of worship at different locations in Delhi with the approval of the LG. In a press note, the LG Secretariat stated that on February 8, 2023, Arvind Kejriwal, as Chief Minister recommended the demolition of nine temples in different parts of the city and then home minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia approved the recommendations of the Religious Committee for demolition of these nine temples.

According to the  statement,  the LG Secretariat has called out the hoax being run and cheap political games with obvious communal over tones being played out by AAP Leader and MLA Arvind Kejriwal, CM Atishi and the Aam Aadmi Party.

“Lashing out at the AAP-led Delhi Government, the LG Secretariat brought out the documents where in former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself had on 08.02.2023, recommended the demolition of nine 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 nine temples. Of the nine temples approved for demolition by Kejriwal, seven temples were situated in Karawal Nagar area while the other two were in New Usmanpur area,” a statement said.

It added that earlier on June 23, 2016, the then Minister (Home), Satyendra Jain too had approved the demolition of eight temples in different parts of Delhi.

“The documents reveal that in all, 24 Hindu religious structures including 22 temples and just one Muslim religious structure were approved for demolition by Kejriwal and his Ministers from 2016 to 2023,” it read.

An official from Raj Niwas added that interestingly, on July 17, 2017, Satyendra Jain had rejected the recommendations of the Religious Committee for demolition of two unknown mazaars citing “religious sentiments and sensitivities”, despite the fact that the Committee had found no historical significance of the said structures and that only five to 10 persons visited those majaars every week.

“Removal of these two majaars was critical for construction of a grade separator from Filmistan Cinema to DCM Chowk, land for which was transferred by the Northern Railways to the MCD,” he added.

Officials in the Secretariat said that given the facts presented those who make the allegations against the LG Secretariat should retract their statements, apologize and refrain from indulging in cheap politics.