Delhi HC questions selective targeting of Muslim shrines by Hindutva NGO
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has strongly criticized the Hindutva-affiliated NGO Save India Foundation over its selective targeting of dargahs and other Muslim religious sites in the city under the pretext of anti-encroachment drives.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the NGO has filed 20 petitions this year alone, most focusing on alleged encroachments in Delhi with a particular emphasis on Muslim institutions.
While dismissing the NGO’s latest petition seeking the removal of a mazar and three dargahs located on the Yamuna floodplains, the Delhi HC bench questioned the organisation’s bonafides. Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya raised concern over selective targeting and asked, “How do you selectively bring forth these petitions of dargahs allegedly encroaching? Do you not see other encroachments? Why are you identifying only mazars?” The court noted, “This must be the fifth or sixth petition entertained by this bench where you’re seeking the removal of mazars.”
The court also expressed concern that the litigation appeared to be directed primarily against dargahs, while similar complaints against temples or other religious structures were not being pursued with equal vigour. “Why are only dargahs being brought under the scanner? If this is about encroachments, then the law must apply uniformly,” the court observed.
The petition was filed by Save India Foundation through its founder Preet Singh, who claims that the organisation works to raise issues for the enforcement of citizens’ rights. Singh, however, has been accused in multiple cases related to spreading hatred against Muslims on social media. He is currently out on bail in a hate speech case.
