New Delhi | Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah today summoned Delhi police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to the Parliament in connection with Delhi’s Chandni Chowk Temple vandalism incident.
A 100-year-old Durga Temple was reportedly vandalized by a group of people in Chandani Chowk which led to communal tension in Central Delhi’s Hauz Qazi area.
Speaking after meeting with the Home Minister, Patnaik said, “We had a general briefing on the incident and we told him that the situation is almost normal in the area. The briefing was about that. General action has been taken, legal action will also be taken… Four people have been arrested”.
Mohammed Anas and Mohammed Zubain were two of the four accused arrested in the Hauz Qazi incident. Anas was previously involved in two cases of snatching and Arms Act, the Delhi Police said. The four arrested in the case also include a minor.
Union Minister and Chandni Chowk MP Harsh Vardhan had visited the area on Tuesday, 2 June, saying that the “culprits” will be arrested and punished.
“It is very unfortunate and painful. The kind of thing done to the temple is unforgivable. I have been told that police is already in action and culprits will be arrested and punished. I appeal to the people to maintain harmony,” he had said.
Mobs destroy a 100-year-old Durga temple in Chandni Chowk
This entire incident occurred on Sunday after a fight broke out between two men over the issue of bike parking. However, sometime later the more people got involved in the fight and one side thrashed another. Subsequently, they also went on to destroy a Durga temple at around 10 PM. The locals who witnessed this opposed the destruction of the temple and began the protest demanding strong action. The protest continued till Monday morning.
Meanwhile, a group of people from another community assembled and began stone-pelting at the protestors. Thus, the protest took a violent turn and people from both the communities clashed with each other. Reports say, several people, have been injured in the clash.
The police said that they are investigating the matter and will soon see the culprits punished. They have registered three separate cases in connection with the incident. A video also surfaced in which purportedly showed a man allegedly being beaten up by some people, who were suspected to be drunk, over a parking issue. Union Minister & Chandni Chowk MP, Dr Harsh Vardhan also visited the area this morning.
As the communal tension gripped the area, Shahi Imam of Old Delhi’s Fatehpuri mosque- Mufti Mukarram Sahab, has condemned the violence. In a video, which was uploaded to youtube, he appealed the people to remain calm. He also said that such issues should not be politicized. The Shahi Imam has also appealed his community members to help the restructuring and rebuilding of the temple.
Congress calls the attack “deplorable”
The Congress party also condemned the attack calling it “deplorable”. The party today tweeted that the attack on Durga Temple in Old Delhi by unruly elements is deplorable. “Such incidents have no place in the civilized society of India. Appeal to all of you to help maintain social harmony by ignoring rumors,” it said.
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