New Delhi

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Wednesday welcomed the MCD's demolition drive near the Turkman Gate, terming it a "good step" if action is being taken to remove illegal structures.

Dikshit, however, accused the BJP government of targeting a particular religion.

He further stated that any violence against officials is not the right step, as they are following orders from the MCD and the Delhi government.

"This is a good step if the action is being taken to remove illegal structures...It looks like the BJP government targets a particular religion...It is not right to do violence against the officials who are following the orders of the MCD or the court," he told ANI.

The MCD on Wednesday conducted a demolition drive in the encroached area near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, and Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, following the High Court's order, in the early hours of January 7, 2026, according to a Delhi Police official statement.

Delhi Police have detained five people in connection with the stone-pelting incident during the demolition drive.

According to the police, around 25-30 people pelted stones at the police and MCD officials after they arrived with JCBs at the Turkman Gate to demolish illegal encroachment on the court's order.

Five police personnel suffered minor injuries in the incident. They have been treated at the nearby hospital, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central District, Nidhin Valsan said.

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Before the demolition drive, several coordination meetings were held with members of the Aman Committee and other local stakeholders to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents. All possible preventive and confidence-building measures were undertaken, according to Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police, Madhur Verma.

However, officials said a "few miscreants" attempted to create a disturbance by pelting stones, and the situation was promptly brought under control through "measured and minimal use of force."