Muslim residents protest outside municipal office, demand impartial inquiry into removal of Dargah and action against those responsible for alleged disrespect to religious sentiments
NARMADAPURAM — Tension grew in Madhya Pradesh’s Narmadapuram on Friday after the municipal administration removed a dargah located at Karbala Ghat on the banks of the Narmada River. Following the action, a large number of people from the Muslim community reached the municipal office and held a protest against the administration.
Members of the community alleged that the religious structure was removed without the presence of their representatives. They also accused the administration of burning the cloth placed on the dargah, saying that the incident had hurt their religious sentiments.
The community has demanded an impartial investigation into the entire matter and action against those found responsible.
Mohammad Junaid Taji, district secretary of the Muslim Committee, said the dargah at Karbala Ghat was an old centre of faith where people had been offering prayers and paying respect for generations.
He said the place also holds importance during Muharram when a large number of people visit the site.
“If the municipal administration claims that only the permanent construction was removed, then who burnt the cloth withreligiousinscriptions placed on the dargah? This matter should be investigated fairly and those responsible should face action,” Taji said.
The Muslim community questioned why such a sensitive action was carried out without involving representatives from the community. They demanded that the administration clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged burning of the cloth.
However, Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) of Narmadapuram Municipality, Vaibhav Deshmukh, rejected the allegations made by the community.
He said that after receiving instructions from senior officials, the municipality was directed to remove religious construction built on the Narmada riverbank. He said that according to Supreme Court guidelines, separate notices are not required for removal of permanent encroachments built in rivers, water bodies or other similar areas.
Deshmukh said that the municipality removed only the permanent construction as part of the action and denied that municipal employees burnt any cloth covering the dargah.
“The municipal staff did not carry out any such action. I have no information about any incident of burning a religious cloth. If any such incident comes to light, an inquiry will be conducted and further action will be taken according to the findings,” Deshmukh said.
At present, the removal of the dargah and the allegations regarding the burning of the cloth have created tension in Narmadapuram. While members of the Muslim community are questioning the administration’s action, municipal officials say the removal was carried out according to court guidelines.
