WATCH: Centuries-old mosque razed in India despite court orders

The demolition was part of an anti-encroachment drive to remove what officials described as 'illegal constructions'.
News Desk | October 01, 2024

In Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, India, authorities demolished a centuries-old mosque, dargah, and graveyard, despite a Supreme Court order halting demolitions without prior court approval.

The dargah, believed to be over 500 years old, belonged to Haji Mangroli Shah and was located near Hazrat Maai Puri Masjid.

The demolition was part of an anti-encroachment drive to remove what officials described as "illegal constructions" near the famous Somnath temple.

Anti-Muslim sentiments have intensified under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda since coming to power in 2014.

The operation was carried out to make way for the Somnath Development Project, which includes clearing about three hectares of land around the temple.

Despite the recent Supreme Court ruling that bans demolitions unless permission is obtained, Gujarat's administration proceeded with the operation, deploying 36 bulldozers and 50 tractors.

Around 1,200 police officers were deployed to oversee the demolition, which local officials described as the largest ever in the district.

Protests erupted as the demolition began, with over 150 individuals, including members of the Dargah committee, being detained by authorities. The local government has cordoned off the area, restricting access to maintain public safety.

This incident has sparked significant public outcry and legal debate, with many questioning the state's decision to proceed despite clear judicial directives in Gujarat, India.

Earlier, authorities in Maharashtra, India, partially demolished a 25-year-old mosque in Mumbai. The Subhaniya Mosque was targeted by municipal officials who arrived with heavy machinery and dismantled part of the structure without providing any prior notice.

Following Modi’s reelection in 2019, the government has introduced several controversial measures that critics argue marginalized Muslims, curtail religious freedoms, and aim to disenfranchise millions from the Muslim community. During Modi's tenure, incidents of violence against Muslims have escalated.

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