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Updated October 21st, 2019 at 23:36 IST

"Our fight will end after the land is wholly ours," says Pradeep Jain

The Supreme Court accepted the Centre's proposal for reconstruction of the Ravidas temple at the same site where it was demolished by the DDA in August

Reported by: Jitesh Vachhatani
Ravidas
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Former Congress leader, Pradeep Jain on Monday said that their fight will only end after the land where Ravidas temple was demolished is transferred fully to Sant Ravidas Samiti. This comes after the Supreme Court accepted the Centre's proposal for reconstruction of the temple at the same site where it was demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) after the Supreme Court (SC) directed it to do so as it was built on encroached forest land. The bench constituting of Justices Arun Mishra and Shripathi Ravindra Bhat on Monday also directed the Centre to constitute a committee within six weeks to oversee the construction of the temple. 

READ | Delhi: Dalits To Protest On September 21 Over Ravidas Mandir Row

READ | SC Accepts Centre's Proposal For Reconstruction Of Ravidas Temple

Centre willing to increase construction area

Pradeep Jain while speaking to ANI after the ruling said, "Until the time the land of Sikandar Lodi is wholly given to Sant Ravidas Samiti, our fight will continue." The court also ruled that people who have been arrested because of any kind of demonstration against the demolition of the temple would be released on a personal bond. The Centre is also willing to increase the construction area of the temple from the present 200 square metres to 400 square metres, it told the apex court.

Along with the petition filed by Pradeep Jain, Haryana Congress President Ashok Tanwar had also filed a petition which sought restoration of idols and pond at the site. A contempt petition was filed in the Supreme Court by former MLA Rajesh Lilothia seeking action against DDA for demolishing the temple whereas another Intervention Application (IA) filed by Lilothia sought directions for permission to pray at the site until the temple is reconstructed and the restoration of holy idols at the shrine. 

DDA demolishes Ravidas temple

The Ravidas temple in Delhi's Tughlakabad area was demolished by the DDA in August after a court observed that "serious breach" had been committed by the Guru Ravidas Jayanti Samaroh Samiti as they did not vacate the forest area despite of the order issued earlier. The demolition had then led to a nationwide protest across the country with some key organizations advocating for Dalit rights calling for a nationwide bandh.

READ | Lilothia Moves To SC, Submits Plea To Pray At Guru Ravidas Temple

READ | Centre Agrees To Rebuild Guru Ravidas Temple On The Same Site

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Published October 21st, 2019 at 16:55 IST

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