The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) initiated a midnight demolition drive against three mandirs —Kalibari Mandir , Amarnath Mandir , and Badrinath Mandir —located in Sanjay Jheel Park, Mayur Vihar Phase-2. The move, which was reportedly carried out in an “illegal manner,” sparked massive outrage among local residents, who gathered overnight to protect the sacred sites. Following a tense standoff, the intervention of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led to an indefinite halt on the demolition.
At approximately 4 AM on March 20, 2025, more than a dozen bulldozers, accompanied by police forces, rolled into Sanjay Jheel Park to raze the three mandir . The demolition was planned under the pretext of “removal of unauthorised religious structures” in the green belt area, as cited in a notice issued by the Horticulture Department of the DDA. However, the notice itself has raised serious questions, as it lacks the department’s official seal and the signature of the responsible officer.
The clandestine demolition plan, exposed by Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain on X said, “Three mandirs in Mayur Vihar Phase 2 are going to be demolished at 4 AM—Kalibari Mandir , Amarnath Mandir , and Badrinath Mandir . This demolition drive is completely illegal and must be stopped.”
Three temples in mayur vihar phase 2 are going to be demolished at 4 am. Kalibari temple, amarnath temple and badrinath temple. Totally in an illegal manner demolition drive is taking place. pic.twitter.com/hFyF73YMGR
— Vishnu Shankar Jain (@Vishnu_Jain1) March 19, 2025
Residents of the area, upon learning about the impending destruction of their religious sanctuaries, mobilised in large numbers and staged an overnight protest. Many devotees gathered at the mandirs , performing prayers and chanting in defiance of the impending demolition.
According to local residents, the Mandirs have stood in the area for over 40 years and have been integral to the community’s religious and cultural life. Regular Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja celebrations are held at these Mandir s, and they have long served as places of worship for Kashmiri Pandits and other Hindu devotees.
The notice, issued by the DDA on October 25, 2024, directed Mandir pandits and their families to vacate the premises by March 19, 2025, failing which they would be “self-responsible for any loss held due to any demolition drive.” However, residents claim that the Mandirs are registered and question the legal validity of the notice, given its lack of proper authorization.
“The way they pasted the notice in the dead of the night without informing anyone raises serious doubts. These Mandir s have been here for decades. If they were illegal, why was no action taken before?” said a resident who has been worshipping at Kalibari Mandir for years.
Another devotee from the Amarnath Mandir echoed similar sentiments: “This Mandir was built by Kashmiri Pandits who were displaced from Jammu and Kashmir. It is a symbol of our faith and resilience. This demolition order is an insult to our history.” As news of the planned demolition spread, a large number of residents gathered at the site overnight, performing prayers and chanting religious hymns in an attempt to prevent the bulldozers from proceeding.
Videos from the scene show women and elderly residents holding diyas and garlands while reciting prayers. Several protesters physically blocked the path of the bulldozers, refusing to move unless the order was revoked. “This is not just an attack on Mandirs, but on our sentiments. If the government can demolish Mandirs today, what stops them from demolishing our homes tomorrow?” questioned a furious devotee.
As tensions escalated, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took decisive action, stepping in to halt the demolition. According to Mayur Vihar MLA Ravi Negi, CM Gupta personally spoke to the Governor of Delhi and senior officials of the DDA, directing them to put an immediate hold on the bulldozer action.
“The Chief Minister has assured us that no Mandir will be demolished under her watch. She has ordered an immediate stop to the demolition and will review the situation with all concerned authorities,” said MLA Ravi Negi, addressing the protesting residents.
Following her intervention, the bulldozers that had arrived to carry out the demolition were forced to retreat, marking a temporary victory for the devotees.
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