The Minority Co-ordination Committee (MCC) Gujarat wrote an open letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel seeking action against the “unjust” following the outrage over the demolition of nine religious shrines, including mosques and dargahs, on Saturday in the Veraval area of Gir-Somnath district. As reported by the Maktoob Media, the convener of MCC, Mujahid Nafees, said that a petition has been filed in the High Court over the issue.
According to a letter dated September 28, the Prabhas Patan administration, along with a large police force and demolition equipment, arrived at the dargahs late at night. Despite the local community gathering and receiving assurances from officials that no demolition would occur, the authorities allegedly went back on their word.
The letter mentions that after sending people home, the police cordoned off the area and began demolishing the dargahs between 4 and 5 a.m
“Haji Mangrol Shah Dargah is recorded in the revenue records of Junagadh state dated 18-2-1924. All these cases are pending in the High Court and Wakf Tribunal. 3 Carrying out demolition under such circumstances is truly an act of injustice. Even the Honorable Supreme Court says that no demolition should be done in such cases.”
The MCC contends that the demolitions are unjust, especially as legal cases concerning these dargahs are still pending in the High Court and Wakf Tribunal. The letter highlights that the demolition orders, despite the ongoing cases and assurances from officials, reflect prejudice and injustice towards the Muslim community.
The MCC urges the Chief Minister to immediately stop further demolitions, citing that the cases are still under judicial consideration. They also call for an inquiry into the actions of the Collector and Superintendent of Police, who ordered the demolitions despite the pending cases, and demand accountability for those responsible for this alleged injustice.
