'Flood of petitions': NC condemns pleas demanding survey mosques

Srinagar: Over the recent instances of petitions being filed against mosques and Muslim shrines demanding surveys, the National Conference (NC) expressed condemnation.

The party's provincial president of Kashmir, Showkat Mir, expressed "deep concern over the flood of petitions", PTI reported.

He warned that if these actions are not addressed, "they could disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of our country", the statement said.

"The recent petition calling for a survey at the revered shrine of Khawaja Moin Ud Din Chisti (RA) in Ajmer Sharief has deeply offended millions of individuals, regardless of their background, who hold the Shrine in high regard," he said.

The NC leader said each year, millions of pilgrims from all corners of the globe, regardless of their faith or nationality, make a pilgrimage to the shrine.

"This shrine stands as a symbol of unity and diversity. The destruction of old mosques and historic structures by certain individuals is a clear attempt to sow discord and division within our nation," he said.

The development of the Dargah is not solely attributed to Muslim rulers, but also to Hindu kings who have made significant contributions, Mir said.

"It is disheartening to see someone who is ignorant of Ajmer's rich history, traditions, and peaceful coexistence, attempting to gain attention by falsely claiming that a temple lies beneath the Dargah. Regrettably, this unfounded assertion has been entertained by the judiciary," he said.

"It is imperative that we stand united against such attempts to disrupt the harmony and unity of our nation. We must protect the sanctity of our sacred sites and preserve the history and traditions that have brought us together. Let us not allow baseless claims and divisive actions to undermine the fabric of our society," he added.

Mir emphasized that the Places of Worship Act, 1991, unequivocally prohibits any alteration to the religious character of a place of worship.

"Section 4 of the Act specifically dictates that the religious essence of a place of worship, as it stood on August 15, 1947, must be preserved.

"In the landmark case of M. Siddiq (Ram Janmabhoomi Temple) vs Suresh Das (2019), the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional validity of this Act, underscoring its crucial role in safeguarding communal harmony and upholding India's diverse heritage," he said.