Education department have locked the gate leading to Mosque

By Shafiq Mir


GNS Rajouri, : The border town Rajouri of Jammu and Kashmir state has been reeling under severe tension for the past several days due to the dispute that erupted between the education department and Muslim community of the town over the procession of a historic Mughalia Masjid situated in the premises of Government higher secondary school, boys Rajouri.The authorities of education department have locked the gate leading to Mosque, while the members of Muslim community have threatened of dire consequences if the possession of the Masjid was not given to them .Giving details, sources said, authorities of education department have locked the gate leading to historic Mughalia Masjid situated in the premises of Govt. Hr. Sec School boys Rajouri. The step taken by the authorities of education department was resented by the Muslim community and they have threatened of dire consequences if the gate was not opened and possession of the Masjid is not given to them .Sources said, keeping in view the gravity of the situation, District Administration Rajouri convened the meeting of the members of Muslim community on Wednesday, however, it concluded inconclusive . From the official side, the meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Rajouri G A Khawaja and Senior Superintendent of police Vijay Singh Samyaal.Deputy Commissioner Rajouri G A Khawaja, when contacted, confirmed to this journalist that the administration had convened the meeting of members of Muslim community on Wednesday in connection with the Masjid dispute . He also confirmed that no decision was taken so far adding that administration was keeping eye on the site .On the other hand, Shafqat Mir, one of the members of the Muslim Community delegation which met to the administration on Wednesday said that they have made clear to the administration that they would never withdraw their claim over the historic Mosque and administration will have to open the lock at any cost. However, Principal Hr Sec School boys, Pardeep Sharma when contacted refused to comment over the issue. However, he admitted that he locked the gate leading to Mosque on the instructions of senior authorities .In fact, the disputed Mosque is situated in the premises of Govt. Hr Sec School boys Rajouri near Gujjar mandi area . The Hr. Sec. School building is itself constructed in the premises of the Mughalia Sarai which was perhaps constructed by Mughal emperor Jahangir during his journey to Kashmir through Mughal road. In the same premises, there is also a room constructed like Masjid with all as pects . It indicates that the structure in discussion had been a mosque and was constructed by Mughal emperor . As per eye witnesses, for the past many decades, this mosque was used by the Muslim teachers and security force personal for prayers and a gate was open from Mandi market side for those who wanted to offer prayer in this Mosque . However, suddenly, the authorities of education department raised objection over the presence of Mosque inside the institution and they locked the gate leading to Masjid from Gujjar Mandi side expressing apprehension of encroachment of school land . The step has been resented and objected by the Muslim community of the area and tension was prevailing in the town till the last reports came in . However, administration was trying its best to defuse the tension and all the concerned were asked to be peaceful. One more meeting has been convened by the district administration in this regard for tomorrow .