Priyanka Gandhi Attacks BJP Over Police Action on Ravidas Temple Protesters

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the BJP government on Thursday after police in Delhi used batons to break up Dalit demonstrators opposing the demolition of the Ravidas Temple in the Tughlakabad area. She said the “insult” of Dalit voices could not be tolerated.

What happened at the protest

The demonstration against the temple’s razing became violent on Wednesday night, and several people were hurt, policemen among them. Police charged the crowd with batons to scatter it and detained Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad along with 50 others. A large police contingent was then posted in the area as the situation remained tense.

What Priyanka Gandhi said

In a tweet, the Congress leader accused the BJP government of first interfering with the temple, which she described as a symbol of the cultural heritage of crores of Dalits. When thousands of Dalit men and women then raised their voices in the national capital, she said, the party had them lathi-charged, had tear gas fired at them and had them arrested.

“This insult of Dalit voices cannot be tolerated. This is an emotional issue, and their voices must be respected,” she wrote.

Background

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) pulled the temple down earlier this month, acting on the orders of the Supreme Court. The demolition triggered protests by members of the Dalit community, which reached a peak with Wednesday’s clashes and the detention of the Bhim Army leader.

See also: Indian National Congress and our election news.

Originally published on 22 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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