Municipal Corporation takes action against illegal construction in the graveyard at Sutarwadi (Pune)

Sutarwadi Citizen Action Committee’s successful fight

Illegal mosque (Left) and a photo of the site after it was vacated due to the demolition of the mosque (Right)

Pune – A mosque built illegally in the graveyard at Pashan Sutarwadi, was recently demolished by the Pune Municipal Corporation. All roads from Pashan Cosmos Bank to Sutarwadi Giriraj Chowk were closed while the mosque was being demolished. A heavy Police presence was also kept. Despite the Government rule that Muslim graveyards should be used only for burials, religious activities were carried out there. On behalf of ‘Sutarwadi Citizen Action Committee’ and ‘Sakal Hindu Samaj’, demands were made from time to time to Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner. (Why such a demand has to be made ? Why does the municipality not take action on its own ? – Editor).

Many years ago, this mosque was built in the graveyard and prayers were being offered there. The villagers were troubled by the people coming to offer namaz. A Hindu cemetery exists adjacent to this graveyard and Hindus too were suffering because of the people offering namaz. Due to this, the ‘Sutarwadi Citizen Action Committee’ demanded that the illegal mosque built there should be demolished.

Editorial Perspective

Was the municipality sleeping till the illegal mosque was built ? Why do people have to fight to demand action against such illegal mosques ?