People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has strongly criticized a decision by the former Chief Justice of India and alleged that it has the potential to divide the country on communal lines. Addressing the media, he expressed concern over rising tensions and cited incidents that could create further discord between communities. On a lawsuit claiming a Shiv temple inside the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said the decision was given that any place that is suspicious can be surveyed. The Supreme Court’s 1991 decision says that the 1947 status of a religious place cannot be changed.
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The former Chief Minister said that unfortunately the former Chief Justice gave such a decision due to which till now Shivalingas were searched only in mosques but now they are searched in Dargahs also and that too in Dargahs like Ajmer Sharif where more Hindu devotees come than Muslims. It is 800 years old. He said that soon after this they can start searching the houses of Muslims. They are taking the country towards division and violence like in 1947. The secular foundation of our country is being shaken. They are creating Hindu-Muslim rift and the former Chief Justice has a very bad role in this.
Referring to the recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where many innocent people lost their lives, Mehbooba warned that such incidents, if unchecked, could push the country towards anarchy. He accused certain forces of destroying India’s secular foundation, which leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi worked hard to establish. He said that the secular fabric of our nation is being shaken. Instead of eliminating unemployment, improving education or providing better healthcare, efforts are being made to pit Hindus and Muslims against each other.
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He said that the recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh is a direct result of this decision. First mosques and now Muslim religious places like Ajmer Sharif are being targeted, which may result in more bloodshed. The question is, who will take the responsibility of continuing this communal violence that is reminiscent of the days of Partition?