Online Desk: Hindutva groups are mounting pressure on the authorities to demolish a mosque in Madhya Pradesh’s capital city of Bhopal calling the Muslim place of worship “illegal” and part of “Land Jihad”. Muslim residents steadfastly reject the allegation claiming they have all the relevant documents to prove their point.
As part of their protest, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members on Sunday marched towards the mosque in the HataiKheda area carrying a JCB with them. Some portions of the three-storey mosque are under construction. After the protest, the administration halted the construction for the time being.
Talking to the Hindi news channel Zee News reporter on Sunday, a protester said that if the administration does not take bulldozer action against the mosque, they will demolish the religious place themselves.The Hindutva protesters shouted slogans “Land Jihad will not be allowed”.
“We will demolish the mosque at any cost. We will raze it even if the government does not allow it. Let the government do whatever it wants. They can put me behind bars or hang me,” said another protestor raising slogans against the mosque.
Another protester claimed that this is a “land jihad” which is going on in several parts of Bhopal. He raised objections to the construction of a three-storey mosque.A group of protesters climbed on the bulldozer giving warning to the government.On the other hand, Muslims said the Hindu groups are deliberately targeting mosques across the country.
“They have issues with all mosques in India. They have a problem with the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Recently, they have raked up the issues of Sambhal mosque. They are digging up all mosques to search for temples,” said a local Muslim.“The government is promoting them to create issues between Hindus and Muslims. The government is prejudiced,” he added.
“The land does not belong to the government. The mosque has all documents related to the land,” he said.The VHP members alleged that the mosque was built on the government land. Without providing any concrete proof, they also claimed that Rohingya Muslims are being brought to settle in the area.
Hindutva groups and the administration in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states have constantly been targeting mosques in the name of clearing encroachments. The saffron groups have been holding protests against mosques in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and now Madhya Pradesh. Some of the mosques have already been demolished in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
