Dehradun, Uttarakhand:
A mazar situated on the premises of Doon Medical College Hospital was demolished by the Dehradun administration and revenue department on Friday night, marking the second such incident of demolition in Uttarakhand in a week.
This action comes shortly after the Syed Masoom Shah Miyan mazar in Rudrapur was demolished as part of a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) road-widening project.
Details of the Demolition
According to Namami Bansal, the Commissioner of Dehradun Municipal Corporation, the mazar in question was located on land allotted to the medical college. The demolition was triggered by a complaint submitted via the CM helpline portal. Bansal confirmed that the medical college had raised concerns about the structure, and the administration had initiated the demolition process.
The operation took place late at night, though Bansal did not provide a specific reason for the timing. She mentioned that excavators were provided for the task, and the Revenue Department led the demolition drive.
Background of the Incident
Dr. Ravindra Bisht, Additional Director of the Directorate of Medical Education, explained that a complaint regarding the mazar had been filed four months ago by a local resident. The district administration, along with authorities from the medical college, municipal corporation, and Public Works Department (PWD), conducted an inquiry and identified that the mazar lacked proper documentation. Despite a prior inspection, the administration went ahead with the demolition after the caretaker failed to respond to a notice served earlier.
Local Reactions
The 750-bedded hospital is located in a large campus, and locals shared that the mazar was frequently visited by patients. The demolition has sparked mixed reactions, with some locals expressing concern over the removal of a longstanding structure.
Demolition of Syed Masoom Shah Miyan Mazar
Earlier, on the night of April 21-22, the mazar of Syed Masoom Shah Miyan in Rudrapur was demolished by the state government as part of the road expansion project. The case is currently in the High Court, with the mazar’s management petitioning to relocate the soil to the caretaker’s house and requesting land for the mazar’s relocation.
Political Reactions
The demolition has triggered political debates. Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana accused the government of targeting religious structures, including madrasas and mazars, to fuel division among communities. He alleged that the action was part of an agenda to create societal discord and emphasized that the Waqf Board should clarify the legality of the mazar.
On the other hand, BJP media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan supported the demolition, asserting that the BJP is committed to removing illegal encroachments and preserving the character and demography of Devbhoomi. Chauhan highlighted that more than 600 illegal religious encroachments and madrasas had already been removed by the government.
Conclusion
The demolitions have stirred significant political and social discussions, with accusations from the opposition of communal targeting, while the ruling BJP defends the actions as part of a broader effort to uphold legal and civic order in the region.
