LUDHIANA: The Muslims residing in Oila Raipur, near here, are perturbed over the alleged grabbing of their shrines and “encroachments” over land in the village by non-Muslims.
A deputation, led by Aziz Mohammad, president of the Muslim Parbandhak Committee of the village, met the Senior Superintendent of police at Jagraon, Jagdish Kumar, and pressed for eviction of encroachers from these sites. The encroached shrines include ‘nigaha,’ ‘pir khana’ and ‘takia,’ besides more than seven acres of land in the vicinity. The agitated leaders have sent representations even to the Punjab Governor, Lt Gen B.K.N, Chhibber (reid).
According to the memorandum, ‘nigaha’ also houses a burial ground and idgeh, which together cover 61 kanals and 5 marlas, Situated in ‘Sema Patti’ of the village, itis alleged to be in possession of Pritam Singh, an ex-serviceman, who enjoys the patron ago of Dehlon police, He does not allow Imam Kazi Sharib Ahmad representing the 125 members of the community to look after this shrine The Qila Raipur Muslims recently reported the matter to MuftifazailurRehman Hilali Umani, Jamia Darus Salam, Malerkotla. The latter has dereed, quoting the Holy Qoran, that only Muslims can look after the Mazjids and nonMuslims have no right to interfere in them, “I is clear that Pirkhana, Kabaristan, etc which are Islamic places, should have only Muslim caretakers who are conversant with the Islamic rites. Interference of non-Muslims in them is not proper, “he gave in writing on June 11 last.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 11, 1995
