Ahmedabad: A significant controversy has erupted in Gujarat following the demolition of a 1,200-year-old dargah, mosque, and adjacent graveyard in the Gir Somnath district, raising questions about the adherence to a Supreme Court directive.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the demolition occurred on September 28 as part of a larger anti-encroachment initiative aimed at clearing space for the Somnath Development Project near the iconic Somnath temple. This project mobilized substantial resources, including hundreds of police officers, 52 tractors, 58 bulldozers, and two hydra cranes, to reclaim approximately 15 hectares of land reportedly worth Rs 60 crore.
Despite these claims, the operation has been criticized for allegedly violating a Supreme Court interim order dated September 17, which mandates obtaining court permission prior to any demolitions. Supreme Court advocate Anas Tanwir criticized the Gujarat Government for what he described as a blatant disregard for the court’s directive by demolishing a protected monument.
The incident has led to widespread protests and the detention of over 150 individuals, including members of the dargah committee, highlighting the ongoing conflict between historical preservation and urban development goals.