New Delhi, In a controversial move, Harsh Sanghvi, the Home Minister of Gujarat, has openly boasted about the demolition of over 100 shrines across the state, attributing the action to an effort led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The minister’s remarks, made during an assembly session, have sparked a debate over the state’s approach to handling what he describes as suddenly erected “mazars” or shrines.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Sanghvi raised concerns over the mysterious and rapid construction of these shrines, particularly in Uparkot, questioning the legality and sudden emergence of such structures. He praised the efforts to demolish a total of 108 shrines, claiming it has led to the liberation of state properties and the removal of encroachments around significant sites like Somnath.

Sanghvi’s statements highlight the use of bulldozers as a symbol of the state’s resolve to remove illegal structures, with the minister emphasizing the machine’s capability to operate in both narrow and wide spaces. He also mentioned the removal of a “derasar” (a Jain temple) in Jamalpur, stressing that the government’s campaign is indiscriminate, targeting any structure alleged to be illegally constructed, irrespective of religious affiliation.

However, reports suggest a selective focus on Muslim religious structures, raising concerns about bias and the potential for communal tension in the state. Critics argue that the emphasis on demolishing shrines associated with one community, while allegedly neglecting similar structures belonging to others, points to a larger issue of religious discrimination and the politicization of urban development and law enforcement.

The Gujarat government’s actions, as boasted by Sanghvi, are under scrutiny for their implications on religious harmony and the principles of equality before the law. This development signals a contentious period in Gujarat’s politics, reflecting the complexities of governance in a religiously diverse society.