Sant Rabidas Temple Demolition: Wave of Protests Hits Silchar

Special Correspondent

Silchar: Hundreds of leaders and activists of All Assam Harijan Unnayan Committee (AAHUC), central body, held protest rally and demonstration in Silchar on Monday against the demolition of a temple at New Delhi dedicated to their spiritual Guru Sant Ravidas by Delhi Development Authority and total encroachment of the 16 bigha campus. Nation wide condemnation against the desecration was organised, preceded by huge mass protest at Jantar Mantar and Ram Lila Ground by 6 lakh people of the country at New Delhi on August 21. Bhim Sena Chief Chandra Shekhar Azad was arrested.

Brajlal Ravidas, president of the AAHUC unit said, “The most sacrilege act on the part of DDA has hurt the sentiments and feelings of 19 crore Harijans across the country.” He pointed out the temple, the centre of religious activities of the community after its completion, was inaugurated by the then Defence Minister of India, Babu Jagjivan Ram.

In a memorandum addressed to Ram Nath Kovind, President of India, and submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, demand has been raised to restore the entire plot of land and reconstruct the temple in a grand manner. Biswajyoti Das, general secretary of AAHUC unit recounted the historical background of the construction of the temple. According to him, Sant Ravidas, the Jagatguru of All Adimjati Ravidas Charmakar Community , was born and brought up at Sarnath near Banaras in 1433.

He was invited by the Mughal Emperor Sikander in the year 1511 to Delhi. In order to be friendly and to win over the mind and heart of the vast Rabidas community, the King offered him a plot of 16 bighas of land over which the temple was constructed. He rued the fact that successive governments and local authorities for years took care for the protection of the sanctity, solemnity and purity of the temple. But, it was quite shocking that the DDA went to the extent of demolishing the temple without caring a whit for the sentiments of Ravidas people.

This he dubbed as most outrageous act and demanded of the DDA to restore the temple of their faith and worship. “We also demand immediate release of their leader and others arrested in New Delhi,” he stated. The President of India has been urged upon to exercise his authority to see that the hopes and aspirations of the Rabidas people are not belied.

Also Read: BJP Silchar MLA claimed cows produce more milk if the flute played in Lord Krishna’s Style

Also Watch: AJYCP Joypur unit organized Rain Forest Football Trophy