Army erected a 20-feet wall, devotees forced to travel 3 km more
The dargah of Hazrat Syed Naseer-uddin Shah Quadri Qibla, which is located on defence land in Old Bowenpally (Photo: DC/File)
Hyderabad: Even devotees visiting religious structures have to seek the Army’s permission in the Secunderabad Cantonment area due to the restrictions in place for civilian traffic.
In November, the religious heads of Hazrat Syed Naseeruddin Shah Quadri Qibla, a 300-year-old dargah and masjid (located at Plaseey Lane, Old Bowenpally), had to run from pillar to post requesting the Army to allow thousands of devotees to attend the annual Urs on November 17 and 18.
In a letter, they stated, “In 2013 (after the annual feast), the Army had constructed a compound wall at Revenue Survey No. 22, prohibiting devotees from visiting the masjid, claiming that the land was A-1 (prime Army land), whereas the said land is actually state government land.
“Earlier, the military authorities had provided a 30-feet road, but with the construction of the 20-foot wall, women and children are facing hardships as they have to go from Nandamurinagar into the military area, which is an extra 3-km of travel.
“In the masjid, daily prayer are offered five times, and the special prayers during Ramzan are also offered. Moreover, the annual Urs is celebrated on a grand scale and thousands devotees with problems like nazar, jadu, fever and weakness come to the dargah in the belief that their wishes will be fulfilled. However, due to the construction, the devotees are not willing to come here and their numbers are dwindling day by day.”
The dargah heads approached Malkajgiri MP Malla Reddy, who wrote to the Army authorities and also called the Defence Standing Committee chairperson in New Delhi, following which the compound wall was broken down.
“The issue was taken up with the chairperson of the Defence Standing committee. The AOC issue has been discussed in Parliament thrice. I have explained the plight of 13 lakh people if the AOC road is blocked. The Army claims that the total ban will be imposed only after the alternative routes are made,” said Mr Malla Reddy.
Speaking to DC, Commanding Officer, Major General Cyrus Addie Pithawalla, said, “The dargah is entirely inside the military area. We had gone beyond our duty and broken down the compound wall keeping in mind the religious sentiments. This was an exception since the festival has been going on for several years. We are just doing your duty.”
( Source : dc )
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