Hindu Resistance, Adv Vishnu Jain and BJP MLA halt DDA’s draconian 4 AM temple demolition in Delhi

In the early hours of March 20, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) attempted to demolish three temples — Kalibari temple, Amarnath temple and Badrinath temple — in Mayur Vihar, citing a Delhi High Court order that mandated the removal of religious structures encroaching on the green belt. However, local Hindus mobilized quickly, gathering in large numbers to prevent the demolition. Protesters surrounded the temples, chanting slogans and demanding that the authorities stop their actions. Their firm stand, along with intervention from political leaders, ultimately forced the DDA team to withdraw without executing the demolition.

Strikingly, BJP MLA Ravinder Negi and Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain joined forces with the local Hindu community against DDA’s demolition drive targeting three temples, calling it illegal and condemning its planned execution at 4 AM.

Earlier in the day on 20th March, the issue reached the Supreme Court, with a petition filed to put an immediate halt to any further demolition efforts. The petition, submitted by temple committee representative Vishnu Shankar Jain, claims that the DDA issued a demolition notice at 9 PM on March 19, giving only a few hours before starting the demolition at 4 AM on March 20. The sudden nature of the notice sparked outrage among devotees and local residents. Subsequently, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sanjay Mehta agreed to hear the case urgently. The petitioners argue that the demolition was arbitrary and did not consider the religious sentiments of the people.

However in a shocking turn of event, the Supreme Court declined to entertain the petitioners asking them to approach the High Court.  

Earlier when the DDA team reached to carry out the demolition, they faced fierce opposition from the gathered crowd. The protests escalated, making it impossible for the officials to proceed.

BJP MLA Ravinder Singh Negi also arrived at the scene in the middle of the night, pledging support to the protesters. Eventually, intervention from Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led to the DDA team retreating without demolishing the temples.

Meanwhile, the case has also sparked political controversy, with parties accusing each other of either failing to protect religious structures or misusing government land. Until the court decides, the temples in Mayur Vihar remain standing, thanks to the determined efforts of Hindu devotees.