On 10 August 2019 the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) demolished a Guru Ravidas temple in the Tughlakabad forest area of south Delhi, a day after the Supreme Court ordered it removed. Dalit and Ravidassia groups shut down much of Punjab's Doaba region on 13 August and marched in Delhi on 21 August, where the protest turned violent and police arrested Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad and 95 others. On 21 October 2019 the Supreme Court accepted the Centre's offer of 400 square metres at the same site for a rebuilt temple.
Key takeaways
- The Guru Ravidas temple in Tughlakabad, Delhi, was demolished by the DDA on 10 August 2019 after the Supreme Court, on 9 August, ordered the structure removed for a "serious breach" by the society running it in not vacating forest land.
- The demolition followed a land case in which the Guru Ravidas Jayanti Samaroh Samiti lost in the trial court, in the Delhi High Court in November 2018 and in the Supreme Court in April 2019.
- Dalit groups observed a bandh across Punjab's Doaba region on 13 August 2019, with highway and rail blockades and a police firing incident in Mukerian, where four youths were injured.
- On 21 August 2019 a march in Delhi turned violent near Tughlakabad. Police said protesters threw stones, burned two motorcycles and injured seven officers; the Bhim Army alleged police fired at protesters.
- Chandrashekhar Azad and 95 others were arrested for rioting and unlawful assembly. Azad got bail on 19 October 2019 on grounds of parity, after 94 of the 96 had already been released.
- On 21 October 2019 the Supreme Court accepted the Centre's revised offer of 400 square metres at the same site, and on 25 November it allowed a permanent structure instead of a wooden portacabin.
- Progress on rebuilding was slow: a contempt plea in 2020 said no committee had been formed, and in January 2022 the DDA was asking the temple committee for Rs 4.33 crore for the land.
Background: a three-decade land dispute
Guru Ravidas was a 15th or 16th century saint-poet revered mostly by Dalits in Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and some of his verses are in the Guru Granth Sahib LiveLaw Scroll. Claim · Devotees Devotees say Ravidas stayed at the Tughlakabad site and that the Delhi sultan Sikander Lodi gave him the land in 1509 LiveLaw.
Rishi Pal, president of the Guru Ravidas Jayanti Samaroh Samiti, the society that ran the temple, told The Caravan that the temple was built between 1954 and 1959 and inaugurated by Jagjivan Ram, then railway minister, on 1 March 1959. He said the DDA acquired the land on paper in the 1960s, served a notice in 1986, demolished the society's school and dharamshala in 1992, and that the courts "relied on the DDA's facts" while ignoring the society's The Caravan.
Documented The DDA started eviction proceedings saying the temple stood on encroached public land. The society sued for an injunction, claiming adverse possession, and lost in the trial court. On 13 November 2018 Justice Valmiki Mehta of the Delhi High Court dismissed its appeal, finding it could not establish rights over the land LiveLaw.
In April 2019 the Supreme Court dismissed the society's appeal and gave it two months to vacate. LiveLaw dates this order 4 April, before Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha; The Tribune dates it 2 April LiveLaw Tribune.
The 9 August order and the demolition
On 2 August, according to the Supreme Court, a "false statement" was made on behalf of the society's office bearers that the premises had been vacated. On 9 August the court, finding a "serious breach", directed the DDA to remove the structure by 10 August with police protection, and told the Delhi Chief Secretary to ensure compliance Tribune LiveLaw.
Let the premises be vacated by tomorrow and structure be removed by the DDA with the help of the police.
Supreme Court order, 9 August 2019 (as quoted by LiveLaw)
The DDA carried out the demolition on Saturday, 10 August LiveLaw. Delhi's social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam alleged the "temple" was demolished in the presence of a police force and the statue was "taken away" The Wire.
DDA's position In a statement on 12 August the DDA did not use the word temple. It said the "structure was removed as per the orders of the Supreme Court" and that "the standing permanent structure was dismantled peacefully without any resistance or use of force in the presence of Guru Ravi Das Jayanti Samaroh Samiti members" The Wire. The DDA has said the temple was built on forest land Scroll.
The Punjab bandh, 13 August
Dalit groups called a Punjab shutdown for 13 August. Shops, banks and petrol pumps closed in Jalandhar, and the bandh drew a strong response in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Phagwara. Schools and colleges in the Doaba region were shut as a precaution Tribune Tribune.
Workers of the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Sant Samaj and the Bhim Army blocked highways towards Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Nakodar and Pathankot, and stopped trains near Phagwara, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. In Mukerian, four youths were wounded when protesters forcing shops shut clashed with shopkeepers; stone-pelting from both sides led police to open fire to disperse them. Protesters also vandalised a Hawkins Cookers factory in Hoshiarpur Tribune.
The same day, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra warned it would start contempt proceedings. "You can't politicise our orders," the bench said, and asked Attorney General K K Venugopal to assist Tribune. At a hearing that week, LiveLaw reports, the bench told the society's counsel: "Don't speak a word and don't aggravate the issue. You are in for contempt" LiveLaw.
On 19 August a bench of Justices Mishra and M R Shah said "Our orders can't be given a political colour by anybody on earth". Venugopal said 18 organisations were protesting and it was hard to single out anyone, and the court asked the Punjab, Haryana and Delhi governments to prevent any law and order problem LiveLaw.
The Delhi protest, 21 August
On 21 August thousands of Dalits who had come to Delhi from several states by bus and train marched from Ambedkar Bhawan in Jhandewalan to Ramlila Maidan, under the banner of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Mandir Sanyukta Sanrakshan Samiti, an umbrella body. They demanded the land be handed back and the shrine rebuilt Outlook/PTI Scroll.
At Ramlila Maidan, Azad announced they would install a bust of Ravidas at the demolished site and set off towards Tughlakabad with supporters. "No force can stop us," he told reporters on the way. Police formed a ring to stop the march Outlook/PTI.
March to Ramlila Maidan
Some protesters begin a hunger strike Scroll.
Clashes at Ravidas Marg
Police say the crowd turned violent near Tughlakabad. They used a baton charge and tear gas Scroll.
Azad detained
Azad and others are detained; police register an FIR for rioting, unlawful assembly and causing hurt to deter a public servant Deccan Herald/PTI.
96 sent to judicial custody
A judge hears each of the 96 accused at Kalkaji police station and sends them to 14 days' judicial custody Scroll.
Both accounts of 21 August
Protesters' account
Claim · Bhim Army The Bhim Army alleged that police fired at protesters Scroll. Azad called the demolition "an insult to our community" Outlook/PTI. The umbrella body's convenor, Ashok Bharti, said it had called only a peaceful protest at Ramlila Maidan and that the march to the site was a decision of "some people" who "become emotional" Scroll. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the BJP used "sticks and tear gas" on Dalits protesting in the capital Scroll.
Police account
Claim · Delhi Police DCP (South East) Chinmoy Biswal said the mob at Ravi Das Marg "turned unruly and became violent despite persuasion" and began "pelting stones and attacking policemen", so "mild and reasonable force had to be used". Police said two motorcycles were set on fire, cars and a police vehicle were damaged, seven officers were injured and no member of the public was hurt Outlook/PTI Deccan Herald/PTI Scroll. Police said a pistol was recovered at the protest and they were finding out whose it was Scroll.
Early reports said about 50 were detained; the count reached 96 including Azad by the next day Outlook/PTI Scroll.
Political response
BSP chief Mayawati called the demolition a sign of a "casteist mentality". Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his government had nothing to do with it Outlook/PTI. On 22 August the Delhi Assembly passed a resolution saying the Centre "badly mishandled the issue" and that the Delhi government should build a temple at the same site once the Centre allotted land Scroll.
Centre's position On 13 August Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the ministry and the DDA were "determined to find a solution and possibly identify an alternative site where the temple can be relocated", and suggested affected parties ask the court for directions The Wire. Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said on 27 August that Home Minister Amit Shah had assured him the Centre would sympathetically consider rebuilding at the original spot Deccan Herald/PTI. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention LiveLaw.
The Supreme Court allows a rebuilt temple
Former MPs Ashok Tanwar and Pradeep Jain Aditya filed a writ petition under Article 32 arguing that the demolition violated the right to worship under Article 25 and that later land laws could not apply to an ancient site LiveLaw. On 4 October a bench of Justices Mishra and S Ravindra Bhat urged an amicable solution on "a better location", saying "we have to follow the law" LiveLaw.
Centre's position On 18 October the Attorney General said that, respecting the faith of devotees, the Centre would give 200 square metres at the same site to a committee of devotees LiveLaw Scroll. On 21 October he told the court the offer had been raised to 400 square metres "keeping in view the faith and sentiments of devotees". The court accepted it, ordered a committee for construction within six weeks, barred commercial activity around the site, and directed that those arrested during the agitation be released on personal bonds Outlook/PTI.
On 25 November a bench of Justices Mishra and Surya Kant modified the order so the temple would be a permanent structure rather than the wooden portacabin the Centre had proposed, and allowed the boundary fence to enclose the Guru Ravidas pond. The Attorney General did not oppose the change LiveLaw Business Standard/ANI.
Bail for Azad and the others
On 19 October 2019 Additional Sessions Judge Neera Bharihoke granted Azad bail on a bond of Rs 20,000 after nearly two months in Tihar Jail. By then 94 of the 96 arrested had been released. "Since the co-accused persons have been granted bail, so on the ground of parity Chandra Shekhar is admitted on bail," the court said. He was told not to tamper with evidence or leave the country without permission Scroll. No later verdict in the case was found.
Outcome
- Demolition: Temple razed by the DDA on 10 August 2019 on Supreme Court orders.
- Injuries: Seven police personnel in Delhi, per police; four youths in Mukerian, Punjab.
- Arrests: 96, including Azad, for rioting and unlawful assembly.
- Bail: 94 released by mid-October; Azad on 19 October 2019.
- Court: 400 square metres at the same site for a permanent temple (21 October and 25 November 2019).
What is still pending
The Centre formed a committee in December 2019, but Dalit leaders in Jalandhar objected that it had too few members from the community and threatened fresh protests Tribune. In 2020 Ashok Tanwar filed a contempt plea against the DDA and the Delhi government, saying the six-week deadline had lapsed on 2 December 2019, idols had not been restored and reconstruction had not begun LiveLaw.
In January 2022 Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said the DDA had asked the temple committee to deposit Rs 4.33 crore for the 400 square metres, and offered to have Punjab pay it Tribune ETV Bharat. No reliable report after that on whether the land was paid for or the temple was completed was found for this page.
Questions people ask
Why was the Ravidas temple in Tughlakabad demolished?
The DDA said it stood on forest land. The society running it lost a land suit in the trial court, the Delhi High Court (2018) and the Supreme Court (April 2019). When it did not vacate, the Supreme Court on 9 August 2019 ordered the DDA to remove the structure, and it was razed on 10 August.
Who ordered the demolition of the Ravidas temple?
The Supreme Court. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and M R Shah directed the DDA on 9 August 2019 to remove it the next day with police help. The Delhi government said it had no role.
What happened at the Delhi protest on 21 August 2019?
Thousands marched to Ramlila Maidan, then some headed to the site. Police say they threw stones and burned two motorcycles, injuring seven officers; the Bhim Army alleged police fired at protesters. Police used a baton charge and tear gas.
How many people were arrested?
96, including Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, on charges including rioting and unlawful assembly. All were sent to 14 days' judicial custody on 22 August 2019.
When did Chandrashekhar Azad get bail?
On 19 October 2019, on grounds of parity, since 94 of the 96 co-accused already had bail. The Supreme Court on 21 October also directed release of those arrested on personal bonds.
Has the Ravidas temple been rebuilt?
The Supreme Court allowed a permanent temple on 400 square metres at the same site in late 2019. As of January 2022 the DDA was seeking Rs 4.33 crore for the land; later progress could not be confirmed from reliable reports.
Sources
- Scroll: Bhim Army's Chandrashekhar Azad detained after protests turn violent, 22 Aug 2019
- Outlook/PTI: Protest against Ravidas temple demolition turns violent, 21 Aug 2019
- Scroll: Azad, 95 others sent to 14-day judicial custody, 22 Aug 2019
- Deccan Herald/PTI: Dalit protest: Bhim Army chief arrested for 'rioting', 22 Aug 2019
- Tribune: Sporadic violence marks Punjab bandh, 13 Aug 2019
- Tribune: SC warns of contempt, 14 Aug 2019
- The Wire/PTI: Hardeep Puri says determined to find solution, 13 Aug 2019
- LiveLaw: SC asks Punjab, Haryana, Delhi to ensure no law and order situation, 19 Aug 2019
- Deccan Herald/PTI: Got assurance from Shah, says Badal, 27 Aug 2019
- The Caravan: Interview with petitioner Rishi Pal, 7 Sept 2019
- LiveLaw: SC urges parties to explore alternate site, 4 Oct 2019
- LiveLaw: Centre willing to give place in same site, 18 Oct 2019
- Scroll: Chandrashekhar Azad gets bail, 20 Oct 2019
- Outlook/PTI: SC accepts Centre's revised offer of 400 sq mt, 21 Oct 2019
- LiveLaw: SC allows permanent structure for Guru Ravidas temple, Nov 2019
- Business Standard/ANI: Temple to be permanent structure with fence, 25 Nov 2019
- Tribune: Dalits oppose new panel for Tughlakabad temple, 12 Dec 2019
- LiveLaw: Contempt plea over non-restoration of land and idols, 2020
- Tribune: Punjab CM offers to fund land for temple in Delhi, 5 Jan 2022
- ETV Bharat: Ready to bear cost of land allotment, says Channi, 4 Jan 2022