Indian authorities demolish 1,200-year-old dargah, mosque in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Indian authorities have demolished a 1,200-year-old dargah (Muslim shrine), mosque, and graveyard in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district, sparking controversy and allegations of violating a Supreme Court order.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the demolition, which took place on September 28, was part of an ongoing anti-encroachment drive near the famous Somnath temple.
The drive, aimed at removing “illegal constructions” to facilitate the Somnath Development Project, involved hundreds of police personnel and heavy machinery, including 52 tractors, 58 bulldozers, and two hydra cranes. The authorities claimed the demolition freed around 15 hectares of government land valued at Rs 60 crore.
However, critics argue that the demolition defied the Supreme Court’s interim order on September 17, directing no demolitions without court permission. Supreme Court advocate Anas Tanwir condemned the action, stating, “A 1,200-year-old dargah, a protected monument, was demolished by the Gujarat Government… brazenly defying a Supreme Court order.”
The incident has sparked protests, with over 150 people detained, including members of the dargah committee. The demolition highlights tensions between preservation of historical sites and development initiatives.
