By TCN Staff Reporter,
Pune: Even as the anger of Muslims over demolition of Noor Masjid in Jangpura area near Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in New Delhi was yet to cool down, reports have come from Pune in Maharashtra of similar demolishing act on old Jamaatul Muslimeen Jama Masjid adjacent to a dargah on the city’s Khidki Road.
The Dargah of Hazrat Jamaluddin Shah is said to be 700-years-old. The Jama Masjid adjacent to the dargah was built more than 50 years ago. Over the years some encroachments had come up over the adjacent Defence Ministry land. A case was pending in the local court to remove the encroachments. Recently the court ordered to remove the encroachments but it had not said to demolish the mosque. But according to media reports, the ministry officials carried out anti-encroachment drive following the court order and also demolished the mosque. The incident created tension in the area.
As the news reached state capital Mumbai Minority Affairs Minister Naseem Ahmed Khan visited the spot on 19th Jan. 2011. At the guest house he held a meeting with local Muslim leaders and government officials besides the authorities of the mosque and dargah who presented before him all facts and evidences about the legality of the mosque.
The minister then talked to the DM and SP of Pune and the officials of the Defence. Brigadier Talwar Singh, president, Cantonment Board, Defence Dept, has assured the minister the mosque will be rebuilt at the site and action will be taken against the guilty officers.
In a similar incident last week (12th Jan. 2011), Delhi Development Authority demolished the Noor Masjid in Delhi, creating tension in entire Delhi. Locals came on the street to protest the demolition. The Delhi CM promised the mosque will be rebuilt at the same site. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court, in the garb of whose order the mosque was demolished, has allowed Namaz at the site.