On June 22, around a thousand people assembled at the Shani temple in Madawali area of East Delhi to protest against a demolition drive organised by the administration to demolish the illegal construction around the temple. The administration however have claimed that the demolition drive was not organised to demolish the temple.
A shocking revelation has been made in this case as of now. Some of the reporters covering the matter explored the nearby areas as well. Turns out that a Mosque and Madarsa located in the area, claims it is situated in ‘Allah Colony’ whereas the locals say it is ‘Mandawali’.
In a viral video from near a Madarsa in Mandawali shows the address on the billboard as, ‘Madarsa Islamia Faizul Uloom, East school block, Allah Colony, Mandawali Fazalpur, Delhi’. The camera person then moves the camera and shows nearby shops and offices with boards carrying address as, ‘Gali number–3, School block Mandawali’.
A local Hindu man told the reporter that, the Islamists have named the area Allah Colony because there is a Mosque and a Madarasa, since 1985. He added, the Hindus of the area were never provided with a land to construct a temple. The Hindu families have migrated from the place by selling off their properties in cheaper rates, what happened in Kairana, happened in Mandawali as well and is happening since 1990, added the man.
He further said, there were 80 Hindu families in the beginning, a temporary police tent was also organised near the Madarsa but no police officer is stationed at this post. The local Hindus call it ‘Shani Dev Square’ but the Muslims call it the ‘Allah Colony’.
Notably, the protests began after the administration directed to demolish the pavement around the temple. The crowd raised anti-administration slogans, while some chanted ‘Jai Shree Ram’. While the women sang Bhajans on the protest site.
In visuals from the spot, women protestors were seen moving toward the police with sticks and shovels while the police dispersed the crowd. Local women protestors accused the police of “misbehaving” with them.
Reports claimed that, the police asked crowd to calm down while clarifying that nothing on the temple premises was being demolished. The area around the temple, however, was seen being guarded by paramilitary forces.
East Delhi District Magistrate told the people that the authorities were there to clear the illegal construction outside the temple. “The pavement needs to be cleared by removing the railings,” the DM said.
He added, “This was not a drive to demolish the temple, but to remove a railing on the footpath next to the temple. This railing was constructed by some people, a few months ago…it was blocking the way…people were informed that this railing would be removed, this was not the temple railing. Despite that, some confusion happened…”
News agency ANI reported, “Delhi police personnel are present at the spot in the Mandawali area and trying to bring the situation under control. Meanwhile, women were seen with sticks in their hands opposing the removal of a portion of a temple.”
People have now alleged that the administration is trying to demolish the entire temple and hence so much security has been provided. Heavy police and security forces are deployed in the area. People are continuously protesting. The temple located in between a Madarsa and a mosque. The locals have also been continuously protesting against the cutting of meat.
While people alleged that Arvind Kejriwal government is creating communal disharmony, AAP leader Atishi said, “The order to destroy the temple was given by the L-G. Manish Sisodia, when he was the (Delhi) home minister, had raised objections against it, but the L-G overruled his suggestion.”
“Not only BJP workers were opposing (to the removal of portion of temple), but they also got injured, including two BJP councillors. This action exposes (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal’s anti-Hindu face,” Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdev told news agency PTI.
