AAP welcomes Center’s decision

AAP welcomes Center’s decision to give land to build Sant Ravindas Temple: Gopal Rai

Center took decision to give land for Sant Ravidas Temple under pressure and protests by AAP: Gopal Rai

Center should talk to Sant Ravidas Samity representatives & for a constructive program: Gopal Rai

NEW DELHI

The AAP on Friday welcomed the Centers decision to give land to build up the Sant Ravidas Temple. The Centre on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it proposes to give to devotees of Guru Ravidas the site, where a temple was demolished a few months back. Reacting on the issue Delhi AAP convenor Mr Gopal Rai said, “The people of Delhi and India took the streets after the demolition of the Sant Ravidas Temple. Under the public pressure and protests, the Center has taken the decision of giving the land for the temple.”

He further said, “The AAP welcomes the decision by the Center to give land for the temple. We want that temple is built and harmony is maintained. We believe that the Center will ensure that such incidents which hurt the sentiment of people will not take place.” Mr Rai also urged the centre to formulate a constructive program to build up this temple.

“We have only one request that the Center should talk to the people of Sant Ravidas Samity and formulate a constructive program to build up the temple,” he said.

This August the Delhi Legislative Assembly passed a resolution demanding to rebuild the temple at the same site after the Centre allots land, a day after the protests at the Ravidas Temple. The resolution moved by MLA Vishesh Ravi said, “the government of NCT of Delhi should construct a magnificent Ravidas temple at the same site after the Centre allots land.”

Speaking on the matter, Delhi Chief Minister Mr Arvind Kejriwal in the Assembly session, said, “If DDA gives 4-acre land to Ravidas, we will give 100 acres to DDA. We will plant saplings as well. Only the Centre can resolve the issue. Had the DDA not opposed the Ravidas Samiti in SC, the temple would not have been demolished.”

“Not just Dalits, people across communities are saddened by the demolition. It has directly affected 12-15 crore people of the Ravidas community,” he added.

Earlier, AAP MLAs held a protest at Jantar Mantar this August against the demolition of Guru Ravidas temple in Delhi, said social welfare minister in the Delhi government Mr Rajendra Pal Gautam. AAP workers from Haryana and Punjab also participated in the protest. Thousands of Dalits walked in the streets of Delhi on August to protest the demolition.