A delegation of the Delhi Congress led by its president Anil Kumar on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, seeking his intervention in the reconstruction of a Hanuman Temple in Chandni Chowk that was allegedly demolished by the BJP-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation to widen a road.
A copy of the memorandum has also been sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking his intervention in the reconstruction of the Hanuman Temple.
The Congress memorandum has drawn the attention of the Lt. Governor that the oldest Hanuman Mandir, where people of all faiths used to worship due to its central location was demolished without any forethought in an overnight operation, by the North MCD, after getting the approval of the Arvind Government in Delhi, as both had termed the temple as an “encroachment”.
Kumar impressed upon the Lt. Governor that this Hanuman Temple was consecrated before Independence by adhering to all the rites for idol worship. The Congress leader said that this temple had become a place of worship for people from all faiths, not only for the residents of Old Delhi but also for lakhs of people who visit Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, and the Old Delhi area from across the country every day.
The memorandum pointed out that the demolition of the Hanuman Temple has wounded the religious sentiments of the people and shockingly the Hanuman idol has been consigned to an MCD go-down as a “case property”. The Congress delegation pleaded with the Lt. Governor that considering the hurt sentiments of the people, the Mandir should be re-built at its original place.
Kumar while talking to the media said that Congress will spare no effort in ensuring that the Hanuman temple is reconstructed at the same place where it had stood, and criticized the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party Government for shedding crocodile tears, after conspiring in the demolition of the temple.