Hundreds of Muslims protest delay in handing over Ulhasnagar graveyard
Ulhasnagar: The long-running demand for the use of land reserved for a Muslim graveyard in Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra’s Thane district took a significant turn when hundreds of people gathered outside the Municipal Corporation headquarters to express solidarity with protesters continuing an indefinite hunger strike.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest centres on a demand that the administration allow burials on land earmarked for a Muslim graveyard. Demonstrators said the issue has remained unresolved for years, despite repeated assurances from political leaders and civic authorities.
A large number of people assembled outside the Municipal Corporation office and raised slogans in support of the demand. Protesters said the administration is delaying a decision and relying on repeated promises without taking concrete action.
Many participants stated that frustration within the community has been growing because the issue has remained unresolved for a long time. Videos of past election promises and speeches by political leaders relating to the graveyard issue have also been circulated on social media, drawing renewed attention to the matter.
Speaking at the protest site, Abdul Ghaffar Shaikh, president of Maharashtra Pragami Muslim Samaj Sanghatna and one of the hunger strikers, said that the issue was linked to the community’s rights and dignity.
“This is not merely a piece of land. It is a matter connected with the constitutional rights, dignity and basic needs of the Muslim community,” he said.
He said that the Municipal Corporation had failed to hand over the land reserved for the graveyard at Kailash Colony, Camp No. 5, despite repeated demands.
“Last year, we also held a hunger strike on this issue. At that time, the Municipal Commissioner assured us that the land would soon be handed over to the Muslim community, but that has not happened,” he said.
Social activist Anil Sinha, who also addressed the gathering, that pressure from communal elements was preventing the land from being handed over.
During the protest, a brief period of tension was reported when some members of Hindu organisations arrived at the location and raised religious slogans. However, no untoward incident was reported, and the situation remained under control.
Protest organisers said participants remained calm and continued their demonstration peacefully despite the tense atmosphere.
