Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The two-century-old dargah (shrine) of a Muslim saint, popularly known as the Nanhe Mian Chishti Dargah, at Mandi House in the heart of the national capital, was demolished earlier this week by civic authorities. Media reports suggest there was no notice served or any information conveyed to the caretaker of the shrine.
The dargah, located at the end corner of the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, is the grave of Syed Nanhe Miyan Chishti (Little Gentleman), a spiritual figure. The shrine had been a common visiting site for many, irrespective of their faith.
Interestingly, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Delhi Police all deny any responsibility for sanctioning the demolition. A report in The Indian Express says that a medieval monument in Delhi was demolished to make way for a mansion for the CEO of the Delhi Jal Board. The board is the government agency responsible for the supply of potable water to most of the National Capital Territory.
One of the caretakers of the shrine, Akbar Ali, was quoted by The Wire as saying that no notices were served before authorities removed the structure.
Ali added that in the absence of concrete information on why such a step was taken, it appears as if authorities are against mazars and dargahs. “Maybe it is because we are Muslims and they think we are their enemies,” he said.
“Earlier on August 2, 2022, they had come and removed the tiles, and the boundary wall, and so on. Next on April 26 this year, they suddenly arrived at 3 a.m. and removed everything,” said Ali.
Early morning when the street vendors started installing their stalls in and around the shrine as usual, they noticed that the grave was not there. Paramilitary forces were deployed there so that no one assembled around the demolished shrine in protest.
Anwar Ali, another caretaker who has looked after the site for the last 45 years, said the shrine was at least 250 years old. Both the caretakers also produced papers showing proof of land tax having been paid since the 1970s.
__________
Photo: Dargah of Nanhe Mian Chishti as it was before demolition.
