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BMC Cancels Demolition of Alleged Illegal Mosque in Dharavi Amid Protests

September 21, 2024, 7:08 pm

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has halted its plans to demolish an alleged illegal section of a mosque in Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, following large-scale protests from local residents. Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad confirmed the cancellation, stating, “Action scheduled for today has been cancelled. We met the Chief Minister last night and urged for this. Everyone expressed their views peacefully.”

Peace Maintained After Gatherings

Deputy Commissioner of Police for Zone 5, Tejaswi Satpute, reported that the atmosphere in Dharavi remains peaceful despite the gathering of a significant crowd on the 90-foot road. “A huge crowd had gathered, but after being requested to disperse, they left the area. I urge everyone not to trust misleading messages circulating on social media,” she said.

BMC’s Initial Actions

The BMC had previously issued a notice for the removal of encroachments on the mosque. The administration indicated that it would typically enforce this notice but decided to allow a 4-5 day grace period after the mosque’s trustees submitted a written request to remove the construction voluntarily.

Official Comments on the Situation

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis referenced a court decision regarding the demolition of unauthorized constructions, noting that the BMC had acted accordingly. He emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order and expressed confidence that the mosque trustees would adhere to their commitment to remove the encroachment.

Political Reactions

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray criticized the situation, suggesting there were attempts to incite communal tensions. “These people are planning to start a Hindu-Muslim riot and divide communities,” he stated, condemning the politicization of the issue and advocating for unity.

Shimla Mosque Chaos: Hindu Protests Resume, Hanuman Chalisa Recited In Kullu | Watch

September 14, 2024, 2:06 pm

In Kullu, protests erupted over the Sanjauli Mosque controversy, with demonstrators reciting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and expressing frustration about what they view as illegal mosque construction and encroachment. The protesters, who gathered in Akhada Bazar, demanded that the administration address the issue and remove the illegal structure immediately. They emphasized the need for following legal procedures in constructing religious sites, arguing that unauthorized construction disrupts administrative systems. In response, authorities have increased security measures to manage the situation.

Watch the video here:

#WATCH | Kullu, Himachal Pradesh: Protestors recite 'Hanuman Chalisa' as they protest over Shimla's Sanjauli mosque row pic.twitter.com/NEXEIG2x1Q

— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2024

Market Closures and Bandh

The Sunni Vyapar Mandal called for a bandh in response to the mosque dispute, leading to market closures in Shimla and Kullu. Local traders, despite facing losses, supported the bandh and urged the administration to resolve the conflict quickly. The bandh has impacted business operations, and Hindu organizations have extended their protests, demanding action against the alleged illegal construction.

Escalation of Protests

Protests have intensified across Himachal Pradesh, with gatherings at the Sanjauli Mosque and similar unrest in Mandi, where the illegal portion of a mosque is being demolished. Hindu organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagran Manch, have called for a state-wide bandh. In response to the escalating tension, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has appealed for peace and highlighted the government’s commitment to maintaining harmony.

Government Response and All-Party Meeting

An all-party meeting was convened by the government in Shimla to address the dispute. Representatives from various political parties agreed on the need to maintain a harmonious atmosphere and proposed the creation of a street vendor policy. Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that the conflict was politically inflamed and stressed the need for lawful conduct and resolution of the issue.

Reactions from BJP and CPIM

BJP MLA Randhir Sharma supported the government’s call for maintaining harmony but urged immediate action if the mosque is found to be illegal. Similarly, CPIM leader Rakesh Singha backed the government’s efforts to restore peace and cautioned against allowing the dispute to become communal, as it could negatively affect the state’s tourism and image.

Shimla Mosque Row Sparks Congress Infighting: “What’s The Difference With BJP?

September 6, 2024, 2:54 pm

The conflict within the Congress party deepened over the Shimla Mosque controversy after prominent leader Rashid Alvi questioned the difference between the BJP and Congress if a mosque is being demolished in a state governed by his party.

Alvi criticized the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government for not addressing the uproar over the demolition of the allegedly illegally constructed Sanjauli mosque. He remarked, “If any mosque is being demolished in the state even after the Congress is in power, then what is the difference between the Congress and the BJP?” He emphasized, “That place belongs to Waqf. Even a minister in the govt (Himachal Pradesh) has said that it belongs to Waqf. It’s an old mosque and there is no question of demolishing it. It’s the responsibility of the CM to take legal action against all those creating a ruckus against the mosque.”

Also Read: Shimla Mosque Controversy: Where Did It Begin, What Is the Issue, and What Are the Ministers Saying?

The internal strife within Congress intensified when Himachal Pradesh Minister Anirudh Singh, also a Congress leader, accused the Shimla mosque of being constructed illegally. Speaking in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Singh called for an investigation into the Sanjauli Masjid’s construction, alleging that the mosque was built without proper authorization. “They started the construction without approval. It was an illegal structure. First, one floor was built, then the rest followed,” Singh stated.

Also Read: CM Caught Sleeping Amid Heated Debate On Illegal Mosque Construction

The controversy surrounding the alleged illegal construction of the mosque has led to significant debate in Himachal Pradesh, with approximately 44 court hearings held so far without a final resolution.

In response to the ongoing dispute, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured that the state government is committed to maintaining harmony. He acknowledged the protests against the mosque’s alleged illegal construction and assured that no community is being harassed in the state. Sukhu also instructed ministers not to exploit the situation for political purposes, remarking, “Such incidents should not happen.”

CM Caught Sleeping Amid Heated Debate On Illegal Mosque Construction

September 5, 2024, 5:34 pm

As the debate over the illegal construction of a mosque in Shimla intensified in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister was caught on camera dozing off.

Watch:

At a time when the illegal construction of a mosque in Shimla is being hotly debated in the Vidhan Sabha, the CM was caught sleeping on camera. His blatant disregard for such a sensitive and important matter, despite even his own minister calling for action, is truly disturbing. pic.twitter.com/46S3GAMeLn

— Chetan Bragta (@chetanbragta) September 5, 2024

Himachal Pradesh Minister and Congress leader Anirudh Singh called for an investigation into the construction of the Sanjauli Masjid in Shimla during his address to the Assembly. He pointed out that the mosque’s alleged illegal construction had escalated tensions in the area.

Also Read: Shimla Mosque Controversy: Where Did It Begin, What Is the Issue, and What Are the Ministers Saying?

Anirudh Singh, who serves as the Rural Development Minister, questioned whether the necessary permissions were obtained from the administration before the mosque was established. He remarked, “They started the construction without approval. It was an illegal structure. First, one floor was built, then the rest followed.”

The minister also expressed his concerns, stating, “They have a habit of engaging in illegal activities. They built a 5-storey mosque. This entire matter should be investigated.”

The construction of the mosque has sparked significant controversy in Himachal Pradesh, leading to approximately 44 court hearings, though no conclusive decision has been reached yet. Singh further raised alarms about the rising incidents of theft in the Sanjauli market area and expressed concerns regarding love jihad.

Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal Arrive At Mosque Prior To Wedding

June 23, 2024, 5:01 pm

Excitement and anticipation are at a peak in Mumbai’s Bandra as Bollywood stars Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal prepare to wed today.

The couple was observed arriving at a mosque in Bandra. Earlier, Sonakshi’s mother, Poonam Sinha, was seen leaving her home in a white embellished traditional outfit, likely heading for the celebrations. Recently, the ‘Heeramandi’ actress was also seen attending a puja ceremony with her mother, both dressed in a beautiful blue coordinated set that highlighted her bridal radiance.

The Sinha family home, affectionately referred to as ‘Ramayana,’ has been decorated with sparkling lights, creating a magical ambiance perfect for the festivities. Close friends and family members have been actively participating in the celebrations, enhancing the joyful atmosphere. Actress Huma Qureshi and her brother, Saqib Saleem, were also present at the pre-wedding events hosted at Sonakshi’s residence.

A photo believed to be from Sonakshi and Zaheer’s mehendi ceremony has become widely popular on social media. The image captures the couple dressed in traditional red attire, smiling with their loved ones. Just before their wedding, Sonakshi and Zaheer enjoyed celebrations with close friends, which Sonakshi shared glimpses of on social media, including a photo with her close friend Huma Qureshi. Zaheer was also seen bonding with Sonakshi’s father, veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha. Additionally, an audio invitation featuring Sonakshi and Zaheer has garnered significant attention online, adding to the excitement surrounding their wedding.

The couple has reportedly confirmed their upcoming wedding, expressing their anticipation for the moment that will make them “each other’s definite and official husband and wife.”

Despite the widespread rumors and leaked invitations, Sonakshi and Zaheer have chosen not to comment on their relationship publicly. While they appeared together in the 2022 film ‘Double XL’ and often share amicable posts on social media, they have not openly acknowledged their romantic journey. As their wedding approaches, all attention is on Sonakshi and Zaheer as they begin their journey together.

Part Of Mosque Crumbles Due to Wall Crack In Old Delhi

June 18, 2024, 10:29 am

At the Hauz Qasi area in Old Delhi, the front part of the two-storey mosque front portion crumbled after the cracks were seen in its walls on Monday. The collapse occurred around 1 pm in the Chudiwala locality.

According to witnesses, the scene turned chaotic as dust filled the area following the collapse of sang-e-marmar masjid. As per locals, before the collapse, the road was caved in.

However, the police declared, they’ll look into the matter. They also added that police took a quick action after the cracks appeared and managed to evacuate the people.

Later, the area was cordoned off by the police. As per Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the collapse happened due to mosque’s weak foundation, Thus dismissing the reports of Road subsidence.

Speaking about the collapse, DCP central Harsh Vardhan revealed,

‘Police staff were rushed to the spot and the mosque, and three surrounding buildings were evacuated. MCD, BSES, and Disaster Management Authority were also informed… At 1.55 pm, the building partly collapsed, however, no one was injured due to the timely evacuation action taken by police’

Later, Deputy Mayor Aaley Iqbal visited the place and taking to X, he said,

‘Today, an accident occurred in the marble mosque of Chudiwalaan due to the weak foundation. Thank God there was no loss of life. The dangerous parts of the mosque will be repaired soon and debris will be removed. The mosque committee will renovate the mosque.’

India welcomes 2024 with fervour and joy at religious places across the country

January 1, 2024, 12:58 pm

As the eventful year of 2023 draws to a close, India enthusiastically welcomes the arrival of 2024. Cities all across the nation celebrated the new year by offering prayers.

In the state of Odisha, devotees gathered at the Puri Srimandir to offer prayers to Lord Jagannath on the first day of 2024. The temple doors were opened early at 1:40 AM to accommodate the rush of New Year’s visitors.

According to Ashish Kumar Singh, IGP of the Central range, “More than 1 lakh devotees have already sought darshan at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri since 2 am today.” Puri Police reported that the turnout at the popular shrine on New Year’s Day was unprecedented.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, a special aarti was performed at the Jhandewalan Devi Temple, attracting large crowds at Connaught Place.

The Taj Mahal in Agra also witnessed a significant number of visitors, while the city of Varanasi experienced a high demand for various types of flowers that devotees offered at temples.

Similarly, Kamarajar Salai in Chennai and Mall Road in Shimla were bustling with people welcoming the upcoming year. In a unique occurrence, New Year celebrations were held in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area in Jammu and Kashmir, where a large number of people gathered to welcome the New Year.

In Andhra Pradesh, devotees in Balighattam village of Anakapalli district paid homage to a Shivalinga with historical significance. The Adhyapith Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata also received a large number of visitors.

In Siliguri, people offered prayers at the Anandamoyi Kalibari temple. Sabarimala temple in Kerala saw a throng of devotees on New Year’s Eve, while in Tamil Nadu, devotees gathered at the Sri Ayyappan Temple to perform aarti.

Likewise, a significant number of people visited the Shri Bhagya Lakshmi temple at Charminar in Hyderabad to mark the occasion of the New Year. Devotees and numerous celebrities from different parts of the country also flocked to the Tirumala Tirupati temple.

The New Year was grandly celebrated by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha, Telangana Governor Tamil Sai Soundarya Rajan, Telangana Deputy CM Batti Vikramarka, Maharashtra minister, and many other VIPs and common devotees.

Israel Defence Forces conduct air strikes on the ‘terrorist compound’ at Mosque in Jenin

October 22, 2023, 10:44 am

The Al-Ansar Mosque in Jenin, for Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists, was the target of an aerial strike on Sunday, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Israel Securities Authorities. The Mosque was used as a command center to organize and carry out terrorist attacks against civilians, according to recent IDF intelligence, the Israel Defense Forces claimed in a statement to X.

In a post shared on X, the IDF stated, “The IDF & ISA just conducted an aerial strike on a Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist compound in the Al-Ansar Mosque in Jenin. Recent IDF intel revealed that the Mosque was used as a command center to plan and execute terrorist attacks against civilians.”
In another post on X, the IDF stated that its soldiers hit a terrorist cell trying to launch anti-tank missiles towards northern Israel. The IDF in a post shared on X stated, “Hamas wants the world to believe that they are a humanitarian organization. Don’t fall for their trap.”

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, was quoted as saying in the video posted by the IDF on X that “Hamas has been trying to present itself to the world in the last 24 hours, as well as in the days before, but especially in the last 24 hours after the release of the two hostages yesterday. No one can deny that Hamas is more dangerous than ISIS. The Israeli Air Force emphasized that Hamas uses Gaza Strip citizens as human shields and fires rockets from buildings that are used by the public.

Death toll rises to 28 in Peshawar mosque blast, 150 wounded

January 30, 2023, 5:54 pm

At least 28 people have been killed and more than 150 others were injured after a suicide blast in a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines area on Monday, the news agency reported.
The blast took place in the mosque located in the Police Lines area of Peshawar during afternoon prayers. The security officials said that the suicide attacker was present in the front row during the prayers when he exploded himself, as per the Geo News report. The injured were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital of Peshawar for treatment.
A spokesperson of the hospital said that 28 people have been killed in the blast and more than 150 injured have been brought to the facility, as per the Geo News report.
According to doctors, more than 10 injured people were in critical condition. The area has been completely sealed and only ambulances are being allowed to enter the locality, according to Dawn.
An eyewitness said that there were at least 120 people in the mosque when the explosion took place. He said that the injured mostly included police personnel.

Suicide Bomb Blast in a Mosque in Peshawar Pakistan. More than 30 Dead & more than 150 people injured…#Pakistan #Peshawarblast #PeshawarAttack pic.twitter.com/f6XJ5GyXaY
— Jyot Jeet (@activistjyot) January 30, 2023

“It was a powerful explosion. There was smoke everywhere after the blast,” said the eyewitness,” Geo News quoted an eyewitness as saying.
“There were at least 120 people in the mosque when the incident took place. It was a suicide blast because the bomber was inside the mosque’s inner courtyard. The Zohr prayers had just started when it happened. There were mostly policemen among the injured,” Geo News reported.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the terrorist suicide attack in a mosque in Peshawar. He called for improving intelligence and equipping police forces.
Imran Khan tweeted, “Strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack in police lines mosque Peshawar during prayers. My prayers & condolences go to the victims’ families. It is imperative we improve our intelligence gathering & properly equip our police forces to combat the growing threat of terrorism.”

Assam: Mosque committee asks people not to join burial for those addicted to drugs

December 1, 2022, 4:29 pm

A mosque committee in the Nagaon district has decided not to join the burial for those addicted to drugs or involved in the drugs trade.

In a bid to tackle the drug menace, the executive body of Juria Udmari Balugutia Jame Mosque and Juria Colony Jalah Anchalik Kabristan Committee has taken this decision.

Meanwhile, in the illegal drug trade, several youths in their locality are involved and many children have become addicted to drugs.

Imran Hussain, president of Juria Colony Jalah Anchalik Kabristan Committee said, “On many occasions we appealed to people, youths of our locality who are involved in the illegal drugs trade or addicted to drugs, to give up drugs, but they didn’t listen to our appeal. Police arrested them, but a few months later they came out on bail. Now we have decided that we will not perform Janaza for such people who are addicted to drugs or involved in the illegal drugs trade and passed away. We want to send a message to our society that we, give up drugs and do good work. We want that, drug menace should be ended in our society.”

Moreover, a similar decision has been taken by the executive body of Juria Udmari Balugutia Jame Mosque.

Fazlul Hoque Maral, president of Juria Udmari Balugutia Jame Mosque Committee said, “When a person addicted to drugs or involved in the illegal drugs trade passes away, our Mosque committee will not make a public announcement of that person’s demise. During the executive body meeting, we have also decided that the Mosque committee will not provide the Janaza carrier and no Imam will perform the Janaza Namaz for such a person.”

However, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma a war against drugs has been launched by the Assam Government and since May 2021 more than Rs 900 crore were seized.

Gyanvapi row:Courts wants Muslim side’s response to the ‘Shivling-carbon dating’ argument

October 7, 2022, 3:37 pm

A court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh has asked the Muslim side to file its reply by October 11 on the ‘Shivling carbon dating’ argument. The statement from the court came after an application was admitted last month regarding carbon dating of a structue found inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex. It is being claimed by the Hindu petitioners that the structure is “Shivling”.

The Muslim side had also been directed by the Varanasi District Court to submit their objections last month. When the Hindu petitioners’ request for permission to carbon date the Shivling-like structure discovered on the Gyanvapi mosque compound, walls, and other structures on the masjid complex was accepted by district judge Ajay Krishna Vishvesh, the court issued notice and requested a response from the Muslim side.

But later, one of the Hindu litigants appeared to be protesting, indicating that there was split among them. One of the five female claimants in the Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi complex dispute, Rakhi Singh, claimed that carbon dating the Shivling was an insult to religion and feelings of Sanatani Hindus.

It might be viewed as a “act of sacrilege,” according to Jitendra Singh Bisen, head of the Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Singh and a representative of Rakhi Singh. He had said, “It’s like casting doubt on Shivling’s very existence.”

The original lawsuit in the sensitive Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi complex case called for the restoration of the historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple at the location where the Gyanvapi Mosque now stands. Five female Hindu petitioners asserted that the mosque is a portion of the temple in the lawsuit.

In the meantime, on September 29, the Allahabad High Court issued a temporary stay on a Varanasi court ruling until October 31 in order to allow the Archaeological Survey of India to survey the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi.