Ahmedabad, October 1, 2024: The Gujarat chapter of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, under the guidance of its President, Maulana Mahmood Madani, has filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court challenging the recent demolition of nine mosques and dargahs near the Somnath Temple in the Gir Somnath district. The petition, filed on behalf of the Aulia-e-Deen Committee, argues that the demolitions were conducted unlawfully and without proper notice, constituting a violation of the rights of the Muslim community.
Representing Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind in court, Advocates Tahir Hakim and Mihir Thakur contended that the religious structures were targeted to facilitate the expansion of a temple, which unfairly discriminates against the Muslim community. The petition calls for judicial intervention to prevent further infringements on the rights of religious minorities.
The case is being overseen by Jamiat Ulema Gujarat’s General Secretary, Professor Nisar Ahmad Ansari, in accordance with directives from Maulana Mahmood Madani. The next hearing is scheduled for October 3, 2024.
On Saturday, the district administration in Somnath, citing encroachment, demolished 45 structures, including the aforementioned mosques and dargahs, located in the Prabhas Patan area near the temple. The operation, which involved the deployment of 1,200 police personnel, was conducted on 15 hectares of land valued at ₹60 crore. According to the administration, the demolition was part of an effort to clear illegal encroachments. However, several protestors were arrested during the operation, raising concerns about the treatment of the local Muslim community.
The Gujarat government has maintained that the action adhered to all legal protocols. However, petitioners argue that either no notice or insufficient notice was provided before the demolition, rendering the action legally questionable. The demolished sites, some of which date back 700 to 800 years, were protected under Waqf Board regulations, and a 1903 permission letter issued by the Nawab of Junagadh for the cemetery is also on record.
This incident has sparked nationwide concern, with many raising alarm over the scale of the demolitions and the potential for further escalation of tensions. Jamiat Ulama Gujarat’s General Secretary, Professor Nisar Ahmad Ansari, has confirmed that while a separate petition regarding contempt of court has been filed in the Supreme Court, Jamiat’s petition specifically challenges the actions of the Gujarat government.
