Delhi CM Accuses LG of Ordering Demolition of Religious Structures; LG Office Denies Claims

 Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday alleged that a panel, acting under the “directions of Lt Governor VK Saxena,” had issued an order for the demolition of multiple Hindu and Buddhist religious structures. The Lt Governor’s office, however, refuted the claim, dismissing it as “cheap politics” aimed at diverting attention from governance issues.

In a letter to LG Saxena, Atishi stated that the Religious Committee, in a meeting held on November 22, approved the demolition of several religious structures across Delhi. She claimed the decision was made under the LG's directives and with his approval.

LG Office Responds

The LG secretariat strongly denied the allegations, issuing a statement asserting that no temples, mosques, churches, or any other places of worship were slated for demolition. “No file regarding such matters has been received by the LG office,” the statement read.

It further accused the chief minister of engaging in “cheap politics” to distract from the failures of her administration and her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal. The LG office emphasized that Saxena had, in fact, instructed law enforcement agencies to maintain vigilance against potential vandalism for political gain, citing the peaceful Christmas celebrations as evidence of their efforts.

Allegations of Religious Sentiment Undermined

Atishi's letter outlined a list of religious structures reportedly marked for demolition in areas such as West Patel Nagar, Dilshad Garden, Sunder Nagri, Seema Puri, Gokal Puri, and Usmanpur. She urged the LG to intervene and prevent the demolition, arguing that such actions would deeply hurt the sentiments of the affected communities.

The chief minister also criticized a shift in decision-making authority regarding the Religious Committee. She pointed out that previously, the committee's decisions were reviewed by the chief minister and home minister before being sent to the LG, ensuring no religious sentiments were compromised. However, she claimed that a 2022 order from the LG's office transferred direct oversight of the committee to the LG, bypassing the elected government entirely.

Governance and Accountability

Atishi’s allegations underline ongoing tensions between Delhi’s elected government and the office of the LG, with disputes often centering on jurisdiction and decision-making authority.

The LG secretariat reiterated its stance that no religious structures were being targeted for demolition and accused the chief minister of politicizing the issue.

This incident adds to the broader narrative of discord between Delhi's elected representatives and the LG, a conflict that frequently spills into public discourse, drawing sharp criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.