Days after a 100-year-old Durga temple in national Capital's Lal Kuan was desecrated by a mob, leading to communal tensions, thousands of people from different parts of the national Capital converged at Lal Kuan area to celebrate the installation of new idols in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Idols were brought in a procession with people dancing and chanting religious slogans.
On Tuesday at around 10 am, the priest of the Durga Mandir performed rituals after purifying the temple, following which a procession was started from 11 am in which people from different parts of the city participated.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament Vijay Goel, Manoj Tiwari and Hans Raj Hans also participated in the function. "The new idols have been placed on Tuesday after the purification of the temple at around 10 am," said Anil Kumar Pandey, the priest of the temple.
"The Durga Mandir Committee has borne the expenses and we have not taken even a single penny from any outsider," said a resident.
Talking to media persons, Goel said that last week, some people, in which Aam Aadami Party MLA Imran Hussain was involved, vandalised of temple and tried to escalate communal tension in the area. "We condemned his act and asked police to take action against Hussian but nothing has happened till now," said Goel.
"We appreciate the Aman Committee's move where they are welcoming the Hindu community people," said Manoj Tiwari, Delhi BJP chief and MP.
"We are the followers of peace but some people want to create tension in the society. We do not need to worry and have to live together happily," said Hans Raj Hans, MP from North-west Delhi. The Muslims were distributing water and food to the people which was organised by the Durga Mandir Street Committee . "People from the Muslim community also helped our Hindu brothers and sisters to successfully mark their procession. We have been helping out them since morning," said Abdul Baqir (55), President of Lal Kuan Resident Welfare Association. Lal Kuan wore a saffron look as people were draped in bright colours and chanting 'Jai Shree Ram'. Shamin Ahmad (65), a retired person and member of Aman Committee, said, "We condemned the incident which had happened on June 30. People from outside Lal Kuan came here and tried to create communal tension in the area". The market opened on Tuesday afternoon after the procession was over in Lal Kuan area which had witnessed communal tension last week.
So far, the police have arrested seven men and apprehended eight juveniles in connection with the vandalism of the temple. More arrests are likely as search is underway for other suspects.
According to a senior police official, the presence of police and paramilitary personnel will be taken off gradually after the procession. Some officers would be presented here for couple of days.
