Delhi BJP seeks LG's intervention in rebuilding Hanuman temple in Chandni Chowk

Delhi BJP leaders on Monday sought the intervention of Lt Governor Anil Baijal for reconstruction of the Hanuman temple demolished by civic authorities earlier this month at Chandni Chowk here.

Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta and Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri met Baijal and urged him to intervene in the matter.

There is ''resentment'' among people of Chandni Chowk over the demolition of Hanuman Mandir and removal of the ancient 'Peepal' tree there, Gupta said.

''It is very unfortunate that in the name of beautification, the Public Works Department of the Kejriwal government demolished the sacred Hanuman temple at Chandni Chowk,'' Gupta claimed. The temple was demolished by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) as an ''encroachment'' after a High Court order, paving way for ongoing Chandni Chowk redevelopment project of the Delhi government.

The AAP and the BJP have blamed each other over the demolition of the temple. The AAP has been assailing the BJP over demolition of the temple by NDMC ruled by it.

Delhi BJP president questioned why the Arvind Kejriwal government took the matter of the temple to the court, especially when its religious committee had the authority to resolve the matter.

A delegation of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Chandni Chowk Vyapar Mandal also met Baijal and submitted a memorandum, demanding reconstruction of the temple, said VHP Delhi unit spokesperson Mahendra Rawat.

President of VHP's Delhi unit Kapil Khanna said the Hanuman temple was a landmark of Chandni Chowk for the past five decades.

The delegation demanded reconstruction of the temple at the same place where it existed earlier or on the central verge of the main road in Chandni Chowk, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)