By PTI | 20 Jul, 2015, 03.35PM IST
NEW DELHI: Secular character of the Indian Constitution
is being used to promote religion-based politics, the Central Information
Commission has said while making a stern observation on illegal religious
structures.
The observations came from Information Commissioner
Sridhar Acharyulu, while hearing the petition of Subodh Rawat seeking details
of action taken by Public Works Department in removing an illegal religious
structure on Rohtak Road which is proving to be a traffic hazard.
"The situation prevalent is that lives of citizen
and peace is more important than the traffic hazard issue, and unfortunately,
this situation is being exploited by the vested interests using 'religion' and
religion-based politics," the Commissioner said.
He was informed by PWD authorities that case of religious
structure has been thoroughly debated and Religious Committee has recommended
to remove it. The LG had instructed to make a law and order assessment but PWD
department is waiting for assistance from Delhi Police for removing the
encroachment.
After hearing the parties, Acharyulu said this reflects
an unfortunate state of affairs where administration is not allowed to remove
an illegal structure, because it happens to be a religious structure which has
a potential to create law and order problem.
The Information Commissioner said appellant has to
understand that although there is a frustrating delay, it was not possible for
PWD to demolish structure obstructing the traffic without assistance from
police.
"The RTI appellant should also understand that
secular character of Indian Constitution is being used to promote
religion-based politics and there no point in pressurising the PWD division for
this," he said.
Acharyulu directed the Delhi Police to inform the PWD
department and appellant within one month the possible time and program to
remove the illegal structure.
"The Commission recommends Delhi Administration, Lt
Governor, the CM, the Chief Secretary and Delhi Police to act on the issue of
removing religious encrochments on Delhi Roads as pointed out by the Delhi High
Court, and recommended by the Religious Committee on January 28, 2015, before
each religious encroachment becomes a complex crisis inflamed by political
exploitation, as such prompt action would remove religious irritations on roads
and lives of people besides facilitating easy flow of traffic," he said.
The Delhi High Court had on April 30, 2015 directed the
municipal authorities to remove all encroachments by religious structures and
it also fixed the deadline of May 30th for the removal of illegal religious
structures on the roads of Chandni Chowk, Acharyulu noted.
It had also directed the city government and police to
cooperate with the PWD in removing these structures.
Acharyulu said the directives were issued after the bench
of S Ravindra Bhat and S Muralidhar was told that Religious Committee set up by
the Government is yet to take decision regarding the Chandni Chowk area.
"The Delhi High Court said the ownership of land was
with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and since authorities did not dispute
that encroachment was happening, the civic body should remove it," he
pointed out.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/constitutions-secular-character-being-used-for-religion-based-politics-cic/articleshow/48144477.cms
