West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed shock over the demolition of a Guru Ravidas temple in New Delhi.
Banerjee said she could understand the Dalits' anguish since the Guru himself had visited the temple and stayed there.
"We are shocked that the Guru Ravidas temple in Delhi was demolished and understand his supporters' anguish, as the Guru had himself visited and stayed there," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle this evening.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had demolished the temple on August 10 on the orders of the Supreme Court. The Delhi Police has arrested 96 people for their alleged involvement in a violent protest following the demolition.
"We have great respect for Sant Ravidas. The shrine symbolises the Dalits' struggle for their rights and must be rebuilt," Banerjee added.
The issue has taken a political hue with various parties demanding that the temple be reconstructed either at the same spot in Tughlakabad forest area or at an alternative location.
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