AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the recent demolition drive in Dwarka, Gujarat, accusing the government of targeting Muslim worship sites and violating Supreme Court orders. The drive, which removed structured declared illegal, has faced backlash amid concerns about the proposed Waqf Bill amendments. The Gujarat High Court will address the Waqf Board’s challenge in February 2025.
New Delhi: AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has condemned the recent demolition drive in Dwarka, Gujarat, claiming it was a deliberate attack on Muslim places of worship and cemeteries. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Owaisi alleged that the demolished sites, including dargahs and burial grounds, were officially recognized in government records and that the demolitions violated Supreme Court directives.
Owaisi’s strong criticism came in the wake of a large-scale demolition drive carried out from January 18 to 25 in the Devbhoomi Dwarka district. The AIMIM chief wrote on X:
“The demolitions in Dwarka, Gujarat were targeted against Muslims, their places of worship & qabrasthans. They were in brazen violation of Supreme Court orders. The demolished qabrasthans & dargah were recognised as such in government records. The government never challenged their status & the recent demolitions happened without following principles of natural justice. This is highly condemnable. The demolitions also prove why the Modi government wants to amend the Waqf Bill and weaken protections against Waqf.”
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Owaisi further criticized the lack of adherence to natural justice principles, asserting that the demolition was conducted without any legal justification or due process.
The demolition drive, which spanned several days, targeted three religious sites in Dwarka, including alleged encroachments on islands in the district. The Gujarat Waqf Board has since filed a petition challenging the demolitions, which the Gujarat High Court is set to hear on February 4, 2025.
The demolished structures were allegedly built over the last five to ten years on islands that require prior government permission for access.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi also addressed the issue on X, praising the administration’s efforts in clearing illegal structures. He emphasized that the drive was part of an effort to preserve cultural heritage and ensure the islands were encroachment-free.
“DevBhoomi Dwarka! The 7 islands of Dwarka district are NOW 100% encroachment-free! A total of 36 illegal structures have been successfully removed from the seven islands. Kudos to the Administration and team for their dedication and commitment to preserving our cultural heritage!”
Sanghavi wrote.
According to the Gujarat government, the 36 structures were illegal encroachments that violated local regulations. These encroachments were removed after a sustained effort by the administration to restore the islands to their original state.
Owaisi also linked the demolitions to the ongoing debate around proposed amendments to the Waqf Bill by the central government.
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“The demolitions also prove why the Modi government wants to amend the Waqf Bill and weaken protections against Waqf,”
he said.
The statement reflects concerns among several groups that proposed changes to the Waqf Bill may reduce legal protections for properties owned by the Waqf Board, potentially making them more vulnerable to actions like the Dwarka demolitions.
With the Gujarat High Court set to hear the Waqf Board’s plea in February, the controversy surrounding the Dwarka demolition drive continues to grow. Owaisi’s allegations of religious targeting and violations of Supreme Court orders have further intensified the debate, while the Gujarat government maintains that the demolitions were conducted lawfully to remove encroachments.
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