Demolition of religious structures in Yamuna Pushta

29/12/2004: MPISG letter (on basis of information and instruction received just after demolition) for directions against demolitions till disposal of IT Park Public Notice and disposal of representation for exemplary demolition of IT Park [1]

01-02/01/2005: news reports of Jama Masjid Imam's protest to CM Sheila Dikshit, Deputy Speaker Shoaib Iqbal and party MLA RS Bidhuri's press conference, Shoaib Iqbal and Fatehpuri Imam's meeting with Sheila Dikshit and officials and decision to meet LG - all about demolition of one mosque near Pushta > included in mpisgmedia post1 of 03/01/2005

02/01/2005: MPISG visit to the area > Photo-album (debris of 9 temples and 6 mosques, etc)2

03/01/2005: Pioneer news report3 of LG assurance, after meeting with Sheila Dikshit, Shoaib Iqbal and Muslim Ulema, of enquiry to see if any "disrespect was shown to religious objects" > MPISG letter to point out errors and for participation in enquiry [2]

04/01/2005: news report4 about enquiry committee "to examine whether any of the religious structures which have been removed had come up in an unauthorised manner" and if there was "disregard to any court orders"

07/01/2004: Police prevented, by cordoning off the area and with pre-emptive arrests on Thursday night (in Pushta, including of temple priests), Friday namaaz at the demolished mosque(s) called for in pamphlets distributed in various parts of the city > MPISG letter to police officer in enquiry committee [3]

19/01/2004: MPISG letter to Police Commissioner about complaint (under investigation) about MCD-NGO Night Shelter encroachment in context also of demolition of religious structures [4] 


Photographs of 01/05/2005 (structures demolished on 29/12/2004 standing on Pushta debris, with Shastri Park depot in the backdrop) 


[1] MPISG letter of 29/12/2004

MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT GROUP

A synergy platform of citizens' groups with legitimate stakes in benefits of planned development

Mr BL Joshi, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi / DDA Chairman

Sub: Demolition of religious structures in Yamuna Pushta Ref: Our representation of 26.12.2004 apropos IT Park on the riverbed

Respected Sir,

In summary action today religious structures were demolished in the Dholakpala area of Yamuna Pushta. While this is in line with Hon’ble High Court’s orders of 03.03.2003 for clearance of all riverbed encroachments, it appears to us a continuing case of selective compliance of that order in view of the following:

  1. Construction on the admittedly illegal IT Park right across the river that started in November 2003 in disregard of the instant order continues as before.
  2. Construction in religious structure at Akshardham, which continued past the instant order and also past issuing of notice by Hon’ble Supreme Court, appears also to be continuing as before.
  3. The illegal MCD-ActionAid Night Shelter in Pushta survives even as religious structures (that have traditionally provided Night Shelter) have been summarily demolished in inclement weather.

Evictions in Gokulpuri area also continue despite our complaints / questions about the legality of the project for which they are being effected without legal slum policy (called for by order of 29.11.2002 in same matter in which order of 03.03.2003 was given) – also in name of court orders (in the Maili Yamuna case), with no imaginable excuse for enthusiasm about compliance in such weather.

In view of continuing arbitrariness in name of court orders procured in PIL, we seek with urgency:

(a) clear directions against Pushta demolitions / evictions till disposal of IT Park Public Notice

(b) Urgent disposal of our representation of 26.12.2004 about IT Park (enclosed)

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

On advice and instruction from MPISG Conveners (Pushta), MPISG Planner

To support planned development. To oppose unplanned development. To protect our future.


[2] MPISG letter of 03/01/2005

MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT GROUP

A synergy platform of citizens' groups with legitimate stakes in benefits of planned development

Shri B L Joshi, Hon’ble Lt Governor / DDA Chairman

Sub: Demolition of religious structures in a stretch of Pushta on 29/12/2004

Ref: News report (Demolition of religious structures to be probed – LG, Daily Pioneer, 03.01.2005)

Respected Sir,

As per the news item under reference, in the above matter you have assured “an enquiry would be held immediately if any disrespect was shown to any religious objects” and “clarified that the demolition was carried out due to the Delhi High Court order”. The news item says “22 temples and 24 mosques were demolished by the DDA on Friday”, while Asian Age reports on 01 and 02.01.05 suggested demolition of a single mosque. Please permit us to bring to your attention the following:

  1. The demolition occurred not on Friday 31/12/2004 but on on Wednesday 29/12/2004
  2. About 20 structures were demolished (we have photographs of 15 sites - 9 temples, 6 mosques)
  3. In action started before daybreak without notice religious objects were damaged, buried, etc
  4. Disrespect was shown also to the Constitution and statutory/judicial processes/imperatives (as mentioned in enclosed letter dispatched by courier to your office on 29/11/2004 itself).

The news item says CM and others met you for an amicable solution. However, in Pushta yesterday all spoke of seeking dignified interim relief and, for justice, in continuation of letter of 29/12/04:

(a) decision on representation against IT Park under construction in contempt of court, since religious structures were cleared - only in the stretch facing Shastri Park metro depot. (Photo: 01/05/2004)

(b) action on complaint against illegal MCD-ActionAid Night shelter in school upgraded in contempt of same court order – and not perceived as an option by those rendered homeless in Pushta. (Photos: 08/04/1004 and 02/01/2005)

(c) disposal of s.11A Public Notice for IT Park before issuing of Public Notice for Master Plan 2021

We seek your intervention on the above and opportunity to place our viewpoint in the enquiry.

On behalf of all who participated in the MPISG visit to Pushta on 02/01/2005, MPISG Planner

cc: MPISG Convener (Riverbed) for record / follow-up

To support planned development. To oppose unplanned development. To protect our future.

To support planned development. To oppose unplanned development. To protect our future.


[3] MPISG letter of 12/01/2005

MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT GROUP

A synergy platform of citizens' groups with legitimate stakes in benefits of planned development

Mr Qamar Ahmed, Jt Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Police Headquarters I P Estate, New Delhi – 110002

Sub: Demolition of religious structures in Pushta

Dear Mr Ahmed,

We have been meaning to write to the enquiry committee for the above, but did not know where to write. Someone who called from Pushta PS yesterday about our complaint against the illegal MCD-ActionAid night shelter there was kind enough to advise me to write to you at Headquarters.

Our engagements on the riverbed since Pushta clearance started in February 2004 are aimed at ensuring that it is cleared of all unauthorized structures in lawful as well as equal application of the court’s orders and restored to the lawful use meant for it under the statutory Delhi Master Plan, so that the Constitution of India is not insulted in any manner. We learned of the demolition of religious structures in a stretch of Pushta shortly after it was effected on 29/12/2004 and wrote to Lieutenant Governor the same day and again on 03/01/2005 following news reports of the decision to institute an enquiry. I am enclosing these letters. We also have photographs taken on 02/01/2005 (when we also spoke to several people) and also photographs taken in the course of Pushta clearance.

If we can assist your enquiry in any manner, please do let us know.

We also wanted to express our appreciation for the stopping of the attempt to instigate people into offering Friday namaaz at broken mosques, contrary to religious tradition and after the enquiry sought by religious leaders had been instituted by the Lieutenant Governor. We do not know who all are to be credited for this responsible intervention and also if they thought of it as such or if our appreciation means anything to them. Nevertheless, if you can we would be grateful if you would convey to them our sentiment.

Best regards

Gita Dewan Verma, MPISG Planner

B Arch (SPA, gold medalist); M.Planning (SPA, gold medalist); PG Dip-Research (IHS-Rotterdam, top rank); Dip-Training (DoPT)

Formerly: Senior Fellow (HUDCO-HSMI), Visiting Faculty (SPA, TVB SHS), Consultant (DfID, IHSP, Nuffic, UNICEF, etc)

Currently: Independent researcher / writer and consultant to citizens’ groups on MPISG and enterprises on AZ-Plan synergy platforms

To support planned development. To oppose unplanned development. To protect our future.


[4] MPISG letter of 19/01/2005

MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT GROUP

A synergy platform of citizens' groups with legitimate stakes in benefits of planned development

Commissioner, Delhi Police

Sub: MCD-ActionAid Night Shelter in Yamuna Pushta

Ref: Letter of 18.12.2004 (enclosed)

Dear Sir,

I had received last week a call from Pushta PS for clarifications apropos the above and have just realized that perhaps I did not send you a note of 19.12.2004 that spells out the violations in detail. I am enclosing the same. Permit me also to bring to your attention the further fact that identically illegal MCD-NGO idea of shifting kabadi market / chor bazaar to the Pushta was objected to by DDA itself. I am also enclosing the letter I wrote to Mr Qamar Ahmed apropos demolitions of religious structures from the stretch close to the Night Shelter, which also makes its continuation grossly improper.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Gita Dewan Verma, MPISG Planner

Encl.

  1. Letter of 18.12.2004
  2. Note of 19.12.2004
  3. Letter of 12.01.2005 to Mr Qamar Ahmed
  • 1. source: http://mail.architexturez.net/pipermail/mpisgmedia/2005-January/000243.html
  • 2. source: http://plan.architexturez.net/site/mpisg/riverbed/prs
  • 3. source: http://mail.architexturez.net/pipermail/mpisgmedia/2005-January/000243.html
  • 4. source: http://mail.architexturez.net/pipermail/mpisgmedia/2005-January/000245.html