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Kodangal/Hyderabad, Sept. 21 (PMI): In the name of road expansion, three graveyards, an Ashoorkhana, and a Chilla Mubarak were demolished overnight in Kodangal, leading to widespread anger among the local Muslim community. Reports suggest that over 200 graves were destroyed during the operation.
In strong protest over the incident, Najaf Ali Shoukat, President of the Markazil Anjuman Matami Gurohaan, Hyderabad, Telangana State, in a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, has demanded the immediate reconstruction of the demolished religious sites.
According to details, around 2 a.m., heavy police security was deployed while Habib Shah Graveyard, Qazis’ Graveyard, and Indarganj Graveyard (Hazira) were razed. Along with these, the Chilla Mubarak adjacent to Habib Shah Graveyard and an Ashoorkhana were also completely demolished and leveled to the ground.
As news spread in the morning, locals staged strong protests, demanding strict action against those responsible. When Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesperson Amjedullah Khan Khalid tried to reach Kodangal, police stopped him midway and took him into custody. Former Wakf Board Chairman Mohammed Maseehullah Khan, former Urdu Academy Chairman M.A. Mujeeb, and Azam Ali Khurram also reached the site and protested but were arrested and later released in the evening.
AIMIM’s Waqarabad Joint Secretary Gulshan has been transferred to Duma Police Station. Authorities said the move was made due to administrative requirements and in accordance with instructions from law enforcement officials.
Former Chairman of the Minority Finance Corporation, Ishaq Imtiaz, too, joined the protests and condemned the act, describing it as an insult to the sentiments of Muslims. He was also arrested and shifted to Pargi Police Station, from where he was released later.
The demolition was reportedly carried out under the supervision of Kodangal Area Development Authority official Venkat Reddy and Municipal Commissioner Balram Naik. Sources revealed that the Wakf Board was neither informed nor consulted before the demolition.
Since Kodangal falls within Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s constituency, the move has triggered serious anger among Muslims. President of Awami Majlis Amal, Mujahid Hashmi, who also joined the protest, stated that his grandfather’s grave was among those destroyed in Habib Shah Graveyard.
Meanwhile, several minority leaders from the Congress Party have announced their resignation in protest, stating that the act amounted to desecration of religious sites and deep hurt to Muslim sentiments.(pressmediaofindia.com)
