The protests will intensify further until the temple is reconstructed by the Govt – Kainth
The Institutions of this country are determined to destroy the ideas of secularism and unity that Guru Ravidas preached his entire life – Kainth
Will stage protests in Jantar Mantar on 21st if demands are not met - NSCA
Patiala/Chandigarh, August 13, 2019: Protesting and demonstrating against the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 10 August to demolish the temple of Guru Ravidas in Tughlaqabad in New Delhi and the subsequent demolition of the temple within hours of the order, the Scheduled Castes community staged widespread protests and organized a nationwide ‘bandh’ criticizing the hateful act of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the torpid response of the Union government in resolving this issue.
Amongst the protests in the Punjab, National Scheduled Castes Alliance, a socio-political organization which has been championing the cause of the community in Punjab, today staged a huge demonstration in Patiala against what it considers to be a draconian order of the Supreme Court. Paramjit Singh Kainth, President of the organization said, “The historical temple of Shri Guru Ravidas Ji at Tuglaqabad in New Delhi was demolished without any hesitation by the DDA authorities under the supervision of the Supreme Court which had directed the Police Commissioner and the Chief Secretary of Delhi to take personal initiative in the swift demolition of the temple. We will not rest until the Government makes amend in this regard, we demand that the temple be constructed again by the Government and they should apologize to the community for this horrendous mistake.”
Kainth said, “Guru Ravidas' devotional hymns were included in the Sikh scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib. The Panch Vani text of the Dadupanthi tradition within Hinduism also includes numerous poems of Guru Ravidas. Shri Guru Ravidas taught removal of social divisions of caste and gender, and promoted unity in the pursuit of personal spiritual freedoms and the Institutions of this country are hell bent on destroying that unity between the communities. Such acts of shame stain the social fabric of the nation and will only act as fuel to ignite the designs of anti-social elements. This 15th century historic temple was built on the land given by Sikandar Lodhi to Shri Guru Ravidas during the visit of the Guru to tughlaqabad to preach the masses of the area.”
The National Scheduled Castes Alliance demanded, “Modi Government should bring amends to the rules of the DDA and enforce a notification for the reconstruction of the temple. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi is the Chairman of DDA and he should be directed by the Union Government to take proactive steps in this issue and bring swift resolution to the issue. If our demands are not met, we along with hundreds of organizations which are opposing this act by the DDA shall be heading to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 21st August and stage our protests. The government should act while our protests remain largely peaceful, the patience of the people regarding the desecration of their Guru’s temple will not remain for long.”