"Chief Politics": LG Governor Responds Over Atishi's Letter On Demolition Of Hindu Temples

New Delhi: The Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s office denied Delhi Chief Minister Atishi‘s allegation that an order was issued to demolish religious structures in the national capital as per governor’s directions. The Governor ‘s secretariat in a statement stated that no file to demolish temples, mosques, churches or any other religious structure has reached them. “CM is playing cheap politics to divert attention from her own and her predecessor’s (Arvind Kejriwal) failures,” it stated.

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In a letter to Lieutenant Governor, the chief minister said that she was informed that the religious committee ordered for the demolition of the religious structures in the capital in a meeting on November 22. It has been decided with the directions and with Lieutenant Governor’s approval to destroy multiple religious structures across Delhi.

“If at all, the Governor has issued strict instructions to the police to maintain extra vigil against forces who may indulge in deliberate vandalism for political benefits. His instructions are being strictly followed, as was witnessed during the just gone Christmas celebrations which did not see any untoward incident,” NDTV quotes, citing the statement.

In the letter, Atishi mentioned about the number of religious structures to be dismantled which includes Buddhist places of worship. As per chief minister’s list, the religious structures were situated at Dilshad Garden, West Patel Nagar, Seema Puri, Sunder Nagri, Gokal Puri and Usmanpur.

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Chief Minister urged Lieutenant Governor in her letter to prevent “demolition” of the religious structures, saying it would hurt the sentiments of the communities concerned. BJP has also attacked Chief Minister over the letter to Lieutenant Governor.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticised Atishi of disturbing communal harmony by making such statements. Sachdeva further claimed that AAP had questioned the Citizenship Amendment Act ahead of the 2020 assembly polls which has later led to “riots in the city,” he added.