Contempt proceeding against the Government of India in failing to implement the directive for the restoration idols and reconstruction of the temple of Guru Ravidas Temple at Tughlaqahad, Delhi was filed yesterday (February 20, 2020) by the Member of Parliament, Ashok Tanwar to the Supreme Court of India. The constitution of a committee was required to be done by the Union of India within six weeks. The petitioner is an ardent follower of Guru Ravidas and belongs to the same community. The bench had ordered the Central Government to include the petitioner in the committee of devotees but no action has been taken by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on approaching different times by the petitioner. There was another order which was given by the court with further clarification proposing a construction which would be permanent in nature. The petitioner informs the Apex Court that, "The Petitioner approached the Delhi Development Authority on different occasions but they have failed to take any action. It is submitted that the six weeks time period expired on 02.12.2019, but the Petitioner has not received any communication for the formation of the Committee of Devotees until date...
… the idol of Guru Ravidas is yet to be restored at the site. Besides, none of the directions of this Hon’ble Court passed in its Final Orders dated 21.10.2019 (modified by Order Dt. 25.11.2019) have been implemented.”
The petitioner highlights the prompt act of the Central Government in the implementation of Ayodhya Judgment even though the judgment of Ravidas Temple and its construction came before the Judgment of Ayodhya Temple. Further, the petitioner argues that “This in itself is patent discrimination and shows the neglect of the Government towards the Scheduled Caste, mostly who are ardent believers in Guru Ravidas”.
The petition has been filed Advocate Sachin Mittal and drawn by Advocate Gaurav Pathak.
The demolition of temple of Ravidas by Delhi Development Authority provoked protests from the community of Dalits, who follow Ravidas, in his honour the temple was constructed and there is a belief amongst the followers that Guru Ravidas had stayed in the temple after the site was given to him by Sikander Lodhi in 1509.
Author: Asif Iqbal
