Hours after BSP supremo Mayawati accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the demolition of Ravidas temple in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal defended saying his government was not involved in the act.
Mayawati on Wednesday took to the Twitter alleging that the demolition of the Ravidas temple was a result of a collusion between the Centre and Delhi government and reflected a “casteist mentality”. She also demanded that the two governments now come to an understanding and rebuild the temple by sharing the expense.
दिल्ली के तुगलकाबाद क्षेत्र में बना सन्त रविदास मन्दिर केन्द्र व दिल्ली सरकार की मिली-भगत से गिरवाये जाने का बी.एस.पी. ने सख्त विरोध किया। इससे इनकी आज भी हमारे सन्तों के प्रति हीन व जातिवादी मानसिकता साफ झलकती है।
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 14, 2019
बी.एस.पी. की माँग है कि इस मामले में ये दोनों सरकारें कोई बीच का रास्ता निकाल के, अब अपने खर्चे से ही, इनके मन्दिर का पुनः निर्माण करवायें।
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 14, 2019
Responding to her tweets, Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said that he is disheartened to learn that Mayawati considers Delhi government equally responsible for the temple’s demolition. He continued defending by saying that his government was not involved in the act as “Land” cases in Delhi comes under the Central Government.
मायावती जी, मंदिर के गिराए जाने से हम सब लोग बेहद व्यथित हैं। इसका सख़्त विरोध करते हैं
मुझे दुःख है कि आप केंद्र के साथ इसके लिए हमें दोषी मानती हैं। दिल्ली में “ज़मीन” केंद्र सरकार के अधीन आती है। हमारी सरकार का इस मंदिर के गिराए जाने में कोई हाथ नहीं। https://t.co/6OZvpvuq4b
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 14, 2019
The centuries-old temple Guru Ravidas temple was demolished on August 9 by the Delhi Development Authority as part of a drive to carry out Supreme Court orders. The demolition has led to a massive controversy and protests by Dalit groups, particularly in Punjab, where demonstrators called for a bandh, blocked roads and took out marches.
