JDA demolishes 5 religious sites in Jaipur, including a mosque, for road widening, sparking a major controversy.
The JDA carried out the demolitions for the widening of the road from Malviya Nagar to Jagatpura. According to the authority, the road is designated as 80 feet wide in the master plan, but due to encroachments, it had shrunk to just 25 feet in places, leading to accidents.
The JDA had issued notices to remove the 5 religious structures obstructing the road. On June 8, amidst heavy police deployment, these structures were demolished.
Apart from the Noorani Mosque, the demolished structures included two temples, a satsang hall, and a mazar. As a precautionary measure, the administration also suspended internet services for 18 hours.
The mosque committee and the Rajasthan Muslim Forum have termed the action illegal. They claim the mosque was 42 years old and they possess all valid documents, including land purchase papers, land use conversion, and Waqf records.
The committee alleged that the JDA did not wait for the Waqf Tribunal's decision, where a hearing on the matter was scheduled for June 10. MLA Rafiq Khan also described the action as deliberate.
The head of the mosque said, "We will not let lawlessness prevail; we will start a public movement for justice in the state. On the upcoming Friday, prayers will be offered in all mosques with black bands tied."
Meanwhile, the JDA maintains that the action was carried out entirely in accordance with the rules and the master plan. Notices had been issued to all concerned parties in advance.
Muslim community organizations held a press conference questioning the government's attitude. They have announced a public movement to protest the action and have called for offering prayers next Friday wearing black bands.
Interestingly, no protest has been registered so far by the committees of the two temples and the satsang hall that were also demolished in the drive. There is complete silence on the matter from the Hindu side.
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