SC denies permission for Urs celebration at demolished dargah site in Gir Somnath
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The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request to conduct an Urs at the site of the Pir Haji Shah Mangroli dargah in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district, citing the need to first hear the main petition related to the case.
The Urs, a significant religious event marking the death anniversary of a Sufi saint, was scheduled to take place from February 1 to 3.
A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih dismissed the application, stating that permission could not be granted without addressing the core legal issue. The request was linked to an ongoing special leave petition challenging an October 3 order by the Gujarat High Court, which had refused to halt demolitions in Gir Somnath, reported Liv Law.
The petitioners, represented by Senior Advocate IH Syed, argued that the dargah had existed for years as an ancient protected monument where the Urs had been regularly held. However, the Gujarat authorities allegedly denied permission this year, asserting that no dargah existed at the site.
The controversy stems from a demolition drive carried out on September 28, during which nine mosques and shrines, along with several residences, were razed in the Prabhas Patan area near the Somnath temple. Authorities claimed the structures were unauthorised encroachments on government land.
In response, the Summast Patni Muslim Jamat, representing the Patni Muslim community in Prabhas Patan, filed a contempt petition against the district administration, alleging that the demolitions were illegal. On October 4, the Supreme Court refused to stay the demolition drive but sought a response to the contempt petition.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Gujarat government, defended the demolitions, insisting that they followed due legal process. He emphasised that both Hindu and Muslim structures deemed to be encroaching on public land were removed, dismissing allegations of religious bias.
Mehta further asserted that there was no protected monument at the site, citing an affidavit from the Department of Archaeology. Additionally, he clarified that no religious activities, including Hindu rituals, were being permitted on the disputed land.
The interlocutory application, filed by the mujawar (caretaker) of the dargah, highlighted that thousands of devotees visit the shrine annually for the Urs. It also noted that authorities had consistently granted permission for the event in previous years. However, this year, the district collector issued a notification barring entry to the site, preventing any religious gatherings.