CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab has severely criticized the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Modi-led BJP government at the centre for the alleged demolition of the ancient Guru Ravi Dass Ji temple in Tuglakabad area of the national capital here. It is worth a mention that DDA is under direct control of the union government
In a statement issued from party headquarters in Chandigarh here on Saturday, AAP legislators, led by LoP Harpal Singh Cheema, Principal Budh Ram, Sarbjit Kaur Manuke, Kulwant Singh Pandori, Rupinder Kaur Ruby, and Manjit Singh Bilaspur, came heavily upon the DDA and the union government for the demolition of the historic temple, saying the act had hurt religious sentiments of a large number of followers and others across the country. The AAP leaders said that the act had brought the anti-dalit face of the government at the centre.
Protests were held in various parts of Punjab by various religious and other organizations condemning the act, which, the AAP leaders said was a tantamount to denigrating the authority of the religious institutions in the country which preached universal brotherhood and mutual bonhomie among all communities. The AAP has supported the move.
The protesting organizations raised slogans against those behind the act of demolition of the temple. They have served a two-day (Till Monday) ultimatum to the authorities concerned for the restoration of the historic temple to its pristine glory, failing which they would be free to observe ‘Bharat bandh’ in support of their demands.
Meanwhile, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government has also condemned the sacrilegious act on the part of the DDA and the union government, stating that the government shall have to pay a heavy price for the demolition of the temple.