The need for widespread awareness and legal action against encroachments ! – Mr Umesh Gaikwad, Former regional coordinator, Bajrang Dal
It is commendable that the Government has demolished the illegal shrine in the sea at Mahim (Mumbai). When it comes to destroying unauthorized dargahs, shrines, constructions in many places, the administration points out the ensuing law and order situation. This means that the administration is afraid of fanatics. The encroachment of unauthorized mosques, dargahs, shrines and graveyards in many parts of the State including Mumbai amounts to nothing but ‘Land Jihad’. Although the present Government has demolished the tomb of Afzal Khan at Pratapgarh, the leaders of all parties have still not developed the mentality to destroy the encroachments in the State. Despite the Supreme Court’s order of 2002 to demolish 2 unauthorized mosques in Kurla (Mumbai), those mosques are still not demolished. Many such examples can be quoted. Mr Umesh Gaikwad, the former regional coordinator of Bajrang Dal asserted that if society is made aware of the serious issue of encroachments and the legal fight against them continues relentlessly, there will be good results. He was speaking in a special dialogue organised by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti on the topic ‘Illegal shrines in the sea – Conspiracy for Islamization of Mumbai’?
Advocate Santosh Dubey, District joint-minister of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said that the construction of illegal shrines in the Mumbai Sea is a failure of the administration. This issue is not just restricted to Mumbai but it is a national menace. Such illegal constructions are underway at various locations across the country; however, they have the support of a special mechanism. This system supports every wrong, anti-social and anti-law thing. Until the common man understands this system and opposes it, illegal encroachments will continue.
Advocate Khush Khandelwal, founder of ‘Hindu Task Force’, said that these people take possession of Government lands, build shrines, dargahs etc. on these lands, and by giving them a religious look, link sentiments of Muslim society to those structures. Then a residential area is established in the surroundings of these structures. Systematically, this is going on in many places in the country and even in Uttan village, Bhayander (District Thane) an attempt has been made to create an unauthorized dargah on Government land. The ruling party here has not done anything about demolishing this unauthorized dargah. We are fighting a legal battle for this. It is necessary for the state Government to make a special law against ‘Land Jihad’ and encroachment and resolve the cases related to it speedily.
Spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Mr Satish Kochrekar said that the Government should create a corporation and associated laws regarding the cases of ‘Land Jihad’ in the country and thereby, take action against the culprits. Strict action must be taken against the political leaders and officials who make ration cards to Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators. Almost 200 mosques have been constructed in the Malvani area of Malad, Mumbai. Hindus have migrated from there. Now, Hindus should wake up and unite to fight against this.
