Minority Committee condemns the action as injustice, demands immediate accountability
Team Clarion
SOMNATH — The demolition of nine dargahs and mosques in the Gir area of Gujarat’s Somnath district in an operation in the wee hours of Saturday has sparked widespread anger and discontent among the Muslim community, with leaders labelling it as an act of injustice and religious intolerance. As tension runs high, calls for accountability and legal redress are also mounting.
The demolitions targeted structures which not only are of religious significance but also part of ongoing legal disputes in both the Waqf Court and the high court. Among them is the historically important Haji Mangrol Shah Dargah, listed in Junagadh’s revenue records since 1924.
Mujahid Nafis, convener of the Minority Coordination Committee, described the demolitions as a deliberate violation of both legal protocols and community trust. “The destruction of these nine religious places, including dargahs and mosques, has enraged the local population. This is nothing less than an injustice to Muslims, and it flies in the face of legal and moral obligations,” Nafis told Clarion India.
According to Nafis, the Prabhas Patan administration officials, accompanied by a heavy police posse, entered the area late at night under the guise of a routine operation. Locals, sensing something amiss, gathered to protest and demanded an explanation for the unusual deployment of police personnel and demolition equipment. However, the crowd was reportedly reassured by officials that no demolitions would take place that night, leading many to disperse in good faith.
“People trusted the authorities when they promised no action would be taken. But under the cover of darkness, the administration cordoned off the area and demolished these sacred sites while people were asleep. It was a betrayal,” Nafis said angrily.
The demolitions have added fuel to simmering concerns over religious freedoms in the state. Several Muslim leaders have come forward to condemn the incident and call for immediate government intervention.
Maulana Mahfooz Alam, a local leader and social activist, voiced strong criticism of the Gujarat administration’s actions. “This is not just an attack on places of worship, but an attack on the religious sentiments of the entire Muslim community. The government must act swiftly to address this gross injustice and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We cannot allow such acts of hatred to go unchallenged,” Alam told reporters.
Shabnam Hashmi, a prominent social activist, also weighed in on the issue. “The demolition of these mosques and dargahs is a clear violation of the law. These are not just religious structures; they are part of the historical and cultural identity of Gujarat’s Muslim community. By carrying out these demolitions, the state is sending a dangerous message of intolerance and disregard for legal processes. This must be addressed at the highest level,” she said.
Hashmi added that the timing of the demolition, carried out in the early morning hours, suggests an intent to avoid public resistance. “This clandestine operation reveals a lack of transparency and respect for the people’s trust. How can the administration justify such actions when the matter is still in court?” she asked.
The Minority Coordination Committee has already taken steps to seek legal recourse. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, dated September 28, the committee demanded an immediate halt to any further demolition activities. “This is a violation of our rights. The matter is already in court, and yet the administration took such extreme steps without waiting for a judicial verdict,” Nafis noted.
The petition filed in the high court calls for a thorough investigation into the actions of the Prabhas Patan administration, as well as the role played by local police. Nafis pointed out that even the Supreme Court has previously ruled against demolitions in cases where the ownership or status of a property is disputed. “The administration had no right to carry out the demolitions while the matter is sub judice. This is not just an administrative overreach; it is a direct challenge to the rule of law,” he asserted.
The Minority Coordination Committee is demanding an independent inquiry into the role of the district’s Collector and Superintendent of Police, under whose orders the demolitions were executed. “We want an investigation into the orders issued for this operation. The people responsible for this act of injustice must be held accountable,” Nafis added.
Local Muslim leader Asadullah echoed the committee’s demands for justice. “It is deeply troubling to see such an aggressive approach towards places of worship. We live in a country that values religious freedom and due legal process. To ignore both in one stroke is a grave misstep by the authorities,” Asadullah said, calling on the chief minister to take immediate corrective measures.
“This is not just about demolishing structures; it’s about demolishing trust. The Muslim community feels betrayed, and if this matter is not addressed swiftly, it will leave a long-lasting scar on communal harmony,” he said.
As the dust settles on the demolished sites, the local Muslim community is left grappling with a profound sense of loss. “These are not just buildings; they are places where generations have come to find peace and solace,” said Noor Muhammad, a resident of Somnath who witnessed the aftermath of the demolition. “It feels like a part of our identity has been wiped away overnight.”
The community’s focus now turns to the legal process. “We have faith in the courts, and we hope that justice will prevail,” said Nafis. The petition filed in the high court is seen as a crucial step in challenging the actions of the local authorities, and the outcome is expected to set a significant precedent for similar cases in the future.
For now, the tension in the Gir area remains high, with the Muslim community awaiting both legal decisions and government intervention. Many hope that this incident will serve as a wake-up call for the state authorities to reconsider their approach to religious issues.
As the legal battle unfolds, the Minority Coordination Committee and other Muslim leaders are preparing to continue their fight for justice, urging the government to prevent further demolitions and restore the religious sites.
