Hyderabad: Writing a letter to AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has asked him to take action against officials responsible for demolition of several mosques in AP over the past one year.
In the letter he has expressed concern over demolition of age-old mosques, under the pretext of road widening. He has mentioned the demolition of the centuries-old Masjid-e-Abu Bakr, Hazrat Hussain Shah Quadri and Syed Shah Quadri dargah and masjid, Jama Masjid, Hazrat Shah Zahoor Musafir Dargah, Tarapet Masjid and Jannatul Firdous graveyard in Vijayawada, in the name of road widening works and construction of flyovers and bridges.
As reported by Deccan Chronicle Mr. Owaisi told the CM that these arbitrary and uncalled-for and unnecessary demolitions of over four century–old mosques, dargahs and graveyards by Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and Krishna district authorities over the last year have caused unease among the Muslim community.
He alleged that ignoring the pleas of AP Waqf Board and protests and resentment of local Muslims, the authorities have resorted to these arbitrary demolitions in utter violation of laws. He also alleged that the authorities wilfully ignored court orders in these cases.
He pointed out that these demolitions of centuries –old places of worship were done to ensure that a hotel and such other private properties are not acquired for road widening and flyover works.
Owaisi termed this as grave injustice to the Muslim community and their religious heritage. The MP further claimed that the revenue authorities were exerting pressure on the masjid and dargah committees and attempts are being made to demolish five mosques, three graveyards and an Idgah on the Bandar Road.
Owaisi revealed in the letter that the committees of Nimra Masjid, Masjid-e-Bilal and Eidgah, Masjid-e-Tana Shah and graveyard, Mohammadia graveyard have obtain stay orders from the courts to safeguard them.
Requesting the Chief Minister to initiate severe action against the officials responsible for the demolitions and restore the ones damaged, Owaisi also appealed to withdraw the proposals for acquisition of places of worships of Muslims and graveyards.