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Haryana’s opposition has accused the state government of inconsistent treatment of religious sites after authorities demolished a temple complex near Gurugram, raising fresh political tensions over faith and land rights. The incident, which local leaders and villagers say was carried out under heavy police presence, has prompted calls for a neutral inquiry and the rebuilding of the shrine.
The action took place in Adampur Jharsha village in Gurugram’s Sector 50, where officials demolished a cluster of structures identified by residents as part of the Baba Balaknath ashram. According to local accounts, the operation lasted nearly 16 hours and involved removal of idols and the relocation of animals from the on-site gaushala.
What happened on the ground
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Villagers and party leaders say about 35 cows were moved from the shelter and several small religious buildings — including a samadhi and other worship spaces — were razed. One temple dedicated to Shiva reportedly remained standing.
The administration has justified the clearance by saying notices had been issued and that the land is government property. Residents, however, contend the plot had long served as a centre for worship and cow care and that the village panchayat had previously allocated land to the ashram.
Political fallout
Haryana Congress president Rao Narendra Singh labelled the demolition an example of “hypocrisy,” saying the ruling party campaigns on religious sentiment while permitting removal of active centres of faith. He urged Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to intervene and demanded an independent probe.
Rao also flagged allegations from villagers that the clearance could favour builders or land dealers, and he referenced broader controversies over religious projects elsewhere in the country to criticise the BJP’s national record. He called for the ashram complex to be rebuilt and for action against any officials found culpable.
- Location: Adampur Jharsha village, Sector 50, Gurugram
- Structures affected: Baba Balaknath ashram complex — gaushala, samadhi and other worship sites
- Duration: Reportedly nearly 16 hours with significant police deployment
- Authorities’ stance: Notices issued; land claimed as government property
- Demands: Independent inquiry, reconstruction of the complex, accountability for officials
The episode highlights immediate questions about how sensitive religious spaces are handled when land ownership and public orders collide. For residents and political figures in Haryana, the stakes include communal trust, the rule of local land laws, and the optics of government action ahead of any electoral contest.
Rao’s demands set the terms for the next phase: a probe and restoration, or a continued legal and political dispute. At the time of reporting, the state government had not issued a detailed public statement beyond noting the land status and notices.
