Sant Ravidas Temple Issue
This article talks about history of Sant RaviDas temple located in Tuglaqabad of Delhi and and its demolition by the authorities on the order of Supreme Court. It also discusses the protests of dalit community against this action.
Background
What is the issue of Ravidas Temple?
Court Proceedings
Response to the Action
Reaction to Protest
Political Face of the Situation
Background
Sant Ravidas was a 15th century religious mentor. He emphasized that humanity and food are more important than god or temple. He was against orthodoxy and believed in humanitarianism. It is believed that Sant Ravidas spent three days of his life in Tuglaqabad. Later, his followers established a temple there to commemorate his visit. This temple is believed to be constructed 160 years ago and popularly called as Ravidas temple. It extends over an area of 112,293m2. There are 20 rooms and one large hall in the temple premise.
The followers of Sant Ravidas are called “Raidasi”. A major section of his followers belong to scheduled castes. Every year, on the occasion of RaviDas Jayanti, his followers from Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana go to Banaras which is the birth place of Sant Ravidas.
What is the issue of Ravidas Temple?
Litigation was filed by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) against Ravidas Jayanti Samaroh Samiti on the ground of illegal occupation and construction over the land which actually belongs to central government.
Stand of Guru Ravidas Jayanti Samaroh Samiti
The samiti claims that land was occupied by their ancestor, Saint Rupanand. He dug a well at that place and named it “Chamar wala Johar”. Lates, other Raidasi constructed temple premises around the well. They claim land ownership on the ground that if a land is occupied for more than 30 years uninterrupted then the occupier becomes the owner of the owner of that area. Since Ravidas temple is 160 years old therefore it belongs to Ravidas samiti.
Stand of Delhi Development Authority
DDA claims that the temple’s land belongs to central government. Since this is a green land therefore no construction is allowed over it.
Court Proceedings
Lower court gave its verdict in favour of DDA. Ravidas samiti brought the matter to Delhi high court which also gave its verdict in favour of DDA saying that samiti did not present any valid evidence to prove that land is occupied uninterrupted for 160 years. Samiti appealed to Supreme Court against this decision. Supreme Court upholds the verdict of Delhi High Court. Honourable Supreme Court gave time of two months to Ravidas Samiti to vacate the premise of temple. On 9th August 2019, Supreme Court’s bench of Justice Arun Mishra ordered to demolish the structure before 13th August 2019. On next day, DDA officials and Delhi police reached the site and demolished the structure.
Response to the Action
In response to the action taken by DDA officials on court’s order, several protests happened. These were mainly visible in Delhi, Punjab, and Western UP which are areas of followers of Sant Ravidas. In Punjab, several organizations declared “Punjab Band” for one day. On 21st August, thousands of people gathered in Ramlila ground of Tuglaqabad and demonstrated protests. The people were mobilized by Bhim army under the leadership of Chandrashekhar Azad. The protesters say that the order of court is against Dalit sentiments and act of demolition of Ravidas temple is an insult to Dalit community.
Reaction to Protests
Supreme Court said that the demonstration of protests against court’s order is of no use. Whether acceptable or not, every citizen has to follow the order of court. Moreover, Court said that judiciary has no relation with politics. Police tried to suppress the protests. They used tear gas, did lathi charge and air firing. Leader of Bhim army was arrested.
Political Face of the Situation
Delhi government blamed central government for this action. On the other hand, some blames were charged against both central government and Delhi government. The whole matter got a political colour. Several questions arose about rights of schedule castes like reservation. Some claims that many temples in this country are constructed illegally then why only Ravidas temple is demolished.
This is to be noticed that in the entire judgment, judiciary nowhere used the term temple but always used the term “structure”. With the purpose of political benefits, each group is toeing its own line.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general purpose only. It does not intend to hurt sentiments of any one. It contains information only from available resources.
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