Demolition of religious shrines in Veraval sparks controversy

Nine religious sanctums, including mosques and dargahs, were demolished on Saturday as part of a demolition crusade to remove encroachments in the Veraval area of Gir-Somnath district in Gujarat.

In a significant anti-encroachment drive, nine religious shrines, including mosques and dargahs, were demolished on Saturday in the Veraval area of Gir-Somnath district in Gujarat.

The operation, which started at 5:30 a.m., targeted 102 acres of government land near the Somnath temple in Prabhas Patan, with the aim of removing illegal encroachments, according to district collector DD Jadeja.

Scale of the Operation

Over 1,000 police officers were deployed to ensure the smooth execution of the drive, which Jadeja described as one of the largest in Gujarat in recent years. In addition to the religious sites, an illegal lodge with 40 rooms was also razed. Authorities detained at least 120 individuals during the operation.

Jadeja emphasized that the administration had provided more than 15 days’ notice to remove the encroachments, but the lack of response led to the demolition. The land cleared is reportedly worth ₹32 crore.

Religious Sites and Historical Significance

The demolished shrines included significant religious sites such as Haji Mangrol Dargah, Shah Silar Dargah, Garib Shah Dargah, and Jafar Muzaffar Dargah. Following the demolition, the Muslim Coordination Committee (MCC) of Gujarat addressed a letter to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, seeking justice for the Muslim community.

The MCC highlighted the historical significance of some of the demolished sites, pointing out that Haji Mangrol Shah Dargah was listed in Junagadh state’s revenue records as early as February 18, 1924.

The committee alleged that demolitions were carried out despite pending legal cases in the Gujarat High Court and the Waqf Tribunal.

Current Situation and Legal Concerns

Police officials stated that the law and order situation in the area is under control, and no incidents of violence or unrest were reported during or after the operation.

However, the MCC has called the demolition an unjust act, particularly given the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the sites.

As debris continues to be cleared, the incident has sparked debate about the balance between public land rights and the preservation of historically and religiously significant sites.