Chandigarh, May 21 -- Facing backlash from residents and political parties, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) on Wednesday deferred its proposed demolition drive to remove 65 unauthorised religious structures across the city. The action, which was scheduled to begin today and continue till August 6, has been put on hold for a day following widespread protests and political pressure.

The drive was initiated on the direction of the Punjab and Haryana high court. In compliance, municipal commissioner Amit Kumar had constituted a dedicated anti-encroachment team to remove the unauthorised religious structures across the city. The officials termed the religious structures as "illegally constructed" structures on government land. These...