NEW DELHI: Citing a September 15 order of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) that permits religious places to open but doesn’t allow visitors, the New Delhi district administration has given orders to “close the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib for visitors with immediate effect.”
The order by sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Chanakyapuri prompted outgoing Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjinder Singh Sirsa to demand action against the district officials.
“Cheap action by SDM Chanakyapuri by passing this order to close Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib for Covid Violations! We condemn this sick mentality of Delhi Govt & demand @ArvindKejriwal Ji to take strictest action against concerned DC & SDM Geeta Grover,” Sirsa tweeted.
“The executive magistrate, sub division-Chanakyapuri, New Delhi has submitted report that the management of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, BKS Marg, New Delhi has allowed visitors/prayers inside the gurdwara, which is violation of No. 2 (xi) of the Annexure-A of the order dated 15.09.2021 of DDMA, Delhi,” the order states.
Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, chairman of Bangla Sahib Hospital and executive member of DSGMC, said that while they had received the order, they were against the violations pointed out and visitors were still being allowed.
“Malls, markets and all other places are functioning as normal, but we have been asked to shut down, even when we are ensuring people wear masks. Sewadaars stationed at the entrance ensure people keep their masks on and the gurdwara has been functioning all through the pandemic and fed lakhs of people across the city too,” said Bhullar.
The district officials didn’t respond to TOI’s queries in this regard.
Delhi Police, meanwhile, has issued over 2.9 lakh challans between April 19 and September 17 this year for violation of various Covid-19-related guidelines, of which the maximum were issued to those found not wearing masks, officials said on Saturday.
According to the data shared by additional Delhi Police PRO Anil Mittal, 2,91,423 challans have been issued for various Covid-related violations in the national capital. Of the total challans, the maximum 2,56,616 were issued for mask violation.
