The state government ordered forces to the Mandawali neighbourhood of Delhi on Thursday to carry out the demolition of a historic Shani and Hanuman temple, which sparked violent demonstrations there. On the morning of June 22, Hindus gathered close to the temple to demonstrate against the government’s choice to destroy it.
A video of the protests that went viral on social media showed police officers stationed at the temple shoving demonstrators back as they yelled for the demolition of the temple to stop. The demonstrators gathered in the streets and were heard chanting hymns to Hanuman and Shani.
#WATCH | A large number of people protest against the removal of a portion of a temple in Delhi's Mandawali area.
Police present on the spot. pic.twitter.com/9zmJAPDiq0
— ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023
As per the initial information, the Public Works Department (PWD) Delhi issued a notice to the temple authorities on June 21 regarding the demolition of the temple. As per the temple authorities, the notice had been issued based on the complaint filed by three persons identified as Javed, Mansoor, and Naushad.
