India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: Malik Moatasim Khan, Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), has strongly condemned the demolition of a Mosque, Dargah, and 500-year-old graveyard near Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat.
In a statement to the media, the JIH Vice President said, “We strongly condemn the recent demolition of a mosque, dargah, and graveyard, believed to be over five centuries old in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district. The action by the concerned authorities is in blatant violation and disregards to the Supreme Court’s stay order. This well-planned action, which occurred on the morning of September 28, marks a disturbing violation of our judicial process and a disregard for the sentiments of the local Muslim community. Just ten days ago, the Supreme Court explicitly ordered a halt to all demolitions across the country unless specific permission was sought and granted by the court. It is deeply troubling that this directive of the Supreme Court of India has been ignored in favor of a hurried demolition drive under the guise of development and conducting anti-encroachment drive.”
Malik Moatasim Khan averred, “While we recognize the importance of urban development and the rule of law, the demolition of religious and historical structures, particularly those belonging to minority communities is an extremely sensitive matter and should not be carried out unilaterally and without following the due process of law. Not only would it be a violation of justice but also go against the spirit of constitution. We call upon the central government to take immediate action to ensure that such demolitions and flagrant violations of law and judicial orders are not repeated. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind demands accountability for this act and immediate restoration of Religious structure. We hope that the rights of all communities, regardless of religion or background, will be respected in our democratic nation.”
