Nagpur: City MP and union minister Nitin Gadkari has reportedly assured people of East Nagpur to stop demolition of unauthorized religious structures on playgrounds, public utility (PU) lands and open spaces in layouts. It is also learnt that the BJP is planning to file a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) to save religious structures not on roads or streets.
A large number of people from East Nagpur took out a bike rally from Satnami Nagar to Gadkari’s residence at Gokulpeth on Sunday morning. The rally was led by BJP leaders from East Nagpur — Hitesh Joshi, Chandan Goswami, Mahendra Raut, Pravin Zilpe and Manisha Dhawade. All explained to Gadkari the tension among all religions over the demolition drive.
Goswami told TOI Gadkari assured them he will direct Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and collector office to stop demolition of religious structures that are not obstructing traffic or causing problems to citizens. “We have no issue if structures causing problems to citizens are demolished. Religious structures on open spaces are being demolished, which is totally wrong. Proposals to regularize the structures are pending at various levels,” he said.
Joshi said Gadkari also assured to direct NMC to challenge the HC orders in the SC. “Ram Mandir at Minimata Nagar was standing for years now, that too on PU land. It was a famous pilgrimage spot for hundreds of people. The temple was demolished a couple of days ago,” he said.
BJP sources told TOI the saffron party was also planning to approach the Apex Court to halt the ongoing drive.
Gadkari also asked associations running the religious structures to also file petitions in the SC. “Action is being taken as per orders of the HC. The central or state government did not give any such directives,” he reportedly said.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has decided to gherao mayor Nanda Jichkar at Town Hall, Mahal, where the NMC general body is slated to meet from 11am onwards on Monday. Sena leader Bandu Talwekar said nine of 13 temples in ward no. 3 have received notices for demolition.