SC Order Ignored: Gujarat govt bulldozed 1200-years-old Dargah in Veraval

Gujarat government authorities reportedly brazenly defied Supreme Court’s recent order, demolished 1,200-year-old Dargah, a protected monument in Veraval; 150 persons protesting against the demolition, detained by the police

In violation of Supreme Court’s recent order, halting all the ’Bulldozer Action’ across the country without its permission, on September 28, in Veraval area of Gir-Somnath district in Gujrat, a 1200-year-old Dargah (Shrine), a protected monument under the law, demolished by the Gir-Somnath’s district administration claiming encroachments on the government’s land near Somnath temple.

The demolished shrine belonged to Haji Mangroli Shah, was located to Hazrat Maai Puri Maszid in Veraval. The demolition drive began at early morning on Saturday, September 28, in Veraval’s Prabhas Patan town near the Somnath temple, around 1,200 police personnel help in clearing 102 acres of government land worth ₹32 crore from alleged encroachments. Authorities detained over 150 people who were protesting against the demolitions, including members of the dargah committee.

Reacting to the bulldozer action, Indian Civil Liberties Union (ICLU) founder and Supreme Court advocate, Anas Tanwir questioned the Gir-Somnath authority’s arbitrary actions and the manner in which the demolition drive was carried out, highlighting concerns about the disregard for due process and direction of the Supreme Court.

He added that “A 1200-year-old dargah, a protected monument, was demolished by the Gujarat Government in Veraval today—brazenly defying a Supreme Court order. This act signals utter disregard for the judiciary’s authority. If this isn’t undermining the majesty of the court, what is?

As per reports, authorities deployed a staggering array of heavy machinery, including 36 bulldozers, 30 JCBs, and 50 tractors, described as the most significant demolition drive in Gir Somnath’s history. Authorities have also deployed a force of 1,200 police personnel to ensure the operation’s smooth execution, which is overseen by high-ranking officials, including District Collector DD Jadeja and police superintendents. The area has been cordoned off to maintain public safety, and access is restricted to authorized personnel only. The district collector Jadeja said that the administration had given a notice of more than 15 days to remove the encroachments but there was no response, which led to Saturday’s demolition drive.

“This is one of the largest anti-encroachment drives in the state in recent years where nine religious sites including mosques and dargahs were demolished as they were built illegally,” said District Collector Jadeja. Reported Hindustan Times

Following the incident, the Muslim Community Coordination Committee (MCC)-Gujarat swiftly condemned the illegal bulldozer action against the Dargah, penning a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel demanding justice against the illegal bulldozer actions. The committee alleged that several ancient shrines in Prabhas Patan including Haji Mangrol Dargah, Shah Silar Dargah, Garib Shah Dargah and Jafar Muzaffar Dargah were subjected to demolition on Saturday.

However, what is shocking is that this demolition defied the Supreme Court’s recent order on September 17, issued just 11 days prior, halting all demolitions nationwide unless prior permission was obtained. Exceptions were only made by the court for public road encroachments and specific areas.

Related:

Supreme Court halts nationwide demolitions through interim order, emphasising the ethos of the Constitution

Supreme Court rebukes “Bulldozer Justice,” plans to issue nationwide guidelines to prevent arbitrary demolitions

As Delhi votes this week for the Lok Sabha 2024 election, those affected by demolitions and evictions lack trust in the parties

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