Thousands of Dalits hit Delhi streets protesting against demolition of Ravidas Mandir, ask Centre to rebuild temple

New Delhi: The stretch between Jhandewalan and Ramlila Maidan turned into a sea of blue as thousands of Dalits from different parts of the country took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against the recent demolition of a Ravidas Mandir in the city. [caption id=“attachment_7200361” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Dalit students take Delhi streets on Wednesday. News18[/caption] The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had demolished the temple on 10 August on the orders of the Supreme Court. The protesters also asked the central government to rebuild the temple. Cries of ‘Jai Bhim’ rented the air as the protesters, who trooped in from Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states, demanded that the government hand over the concerned plot of land to the community and rebuild the temple. 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. The protests in Delhi comes a week after a similar mobilisation of Dalits took place in Punjab on 13 August over the issue. The gathering saw the presence of Delhi’s Social Justice Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad and spiritual leaders from the community.