Seemingly jittery over the Central Bureau of Investigation’s intention to lodge a case against him related to the 2016 sting operation showing him allegedly trying to buy support of MLAs, former chief minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat has started politics over alleged demolition of Sant Ravidas temple in Delhi. He staged a protest against central government at Har Ki Paidi here on Thursday morning. Politicising the issue, Harish Rawat alleged that the government had deliberately not produced relevant evidence before the court of law which ultimately led to its demolition.

Irked over the plan of the CBI to lodge a case against him, former state minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat along with his supporters staged a day long protest outside Ravidas temple at Har Ki Paidi.

He said that the government deliberately did not present the true evidence before the court which led to the demolition of 500 year old Ravidas temple in Delhi. He demanded the construction of a magnificent temple of Sant Ravidass on the demolished site.

Harish Rawat has given his support to the countrywide protests which ensued ever since the demolition of Sant Ravidas temple during August. He said that Ravidas is not of one single community but was a humanitarian worshipped by all.  The breaking of his temple has hurt the sentiments of crores of people. He said expressing solidarity with others who were hurt by this act of government that he was staging protest against the Union Government.

Rawat also cautioned the Government that if they did not make a temple at the same site, he will stage protest at different Ravidas temples once a month.

On the issue of CBI probe, Rawat said that he was ready for the probe and the agency could question him any time. This act of the BJP government was just to show him down. “Bhedein meri chori hui aur merey par hi arop lagaya (my sheep were stolen and the allegation was leveled at me). But Modi hai to sab mumkin hai,” he said.

The Congress leader also said that recent amendements in Motor Vehicle Act being enforced are like ‘Tughlaqi Farman’. He said, “A scooter or auto rickshaw is worth Rs 18,000 and the fine imposed for breaking the rules is double its value. The amendments made in the act are akin to Hitler’s law for the common citizens,” opined Rawat.