NEW DELHI: The anger of the people against the Central government over the demolition of the Sant Ravidas temple in Tugalaqabad was visible on the streets on Sunday, claimed the AAP, as thousands of volunteers marched to the BJP headquarters. The protesters demanded that the temple to Sant Ravidas be re-established at the same location. Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said, "The temple of Sant Ravidas ji must be re-established at the same place. The faith of over 40 crore people is linked to this temple. The BJP has deliberately demolished the symbol of the faith of 40 crore Dalits. The community will never forgive the BJP." "The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) which directly reports to the BJP government, demolished the temple on August 10. Since the demolition, protests have erupted not only in India but also in the USA, Austria, Canada etc," he alleged. Opposing the demolition of the Sant Ravidas temple, the leaders and members of the SC-ST wing of the AAP marched from the Party headquarters to the headquarters of the BJP. The followers of the Sant Ravidas temple in Tugalaqabad also joined the protest. On their way to the BJP office, heavy police forces stopped the march, following which the protesters sat on a dharna on the street and started sloganeering against the Central government. Gautam said, "If the Central government believes in Sant Ravidas ji, then the temple should be re-established at the same place." "On August 12, we had written a letter to Prime Minister Modi and demanded that the temple be restored, but there was no response to that letter. This reflects the anti-Dalit mindset of the BJP. DDA works under the direct control of Union Minister Hardeep Puri. The temple of Sant Ravidas Ji was demolished with the consent and permission of Hardeep Puri. Now the BJP has appointed Hardeep Puri as the election in-charge for Delhi. What message is BJP sending by appointing the person who demolished our temple as the in-charge for its Delhi unit? The Dalit community will give a befitting reply to the BJP,"he said Cautioning the Centre about the rising anger of the people, Gautam said, "The Centre should restore the temple and resolve the matter otherwise more people will come on the streets to protest."

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