Waqf board asks DC to remove encroachments from 20 areas

The Deputy Commissioner will meet certain Muslim representatives on Tuesday to discuss the matter.

On Monday, the Deputy Commissioner met representatives of the Hindu outfit who have been demanding that namaz must not be offered in the prime areas of Gurugram.

Speaking on the controversial issue, Haryana Chief Minister M L Khattar had said that the namaz must only be offered in designated places. The statement by the head of the state drew sharp political reactions.

Two weeks after devotees were stopped from offering 'namaz' at the Sector-43 site, the issue seems far from being resolved.

In order to placate the matter, no 'namaz' was offered at the Saraswati Kunj site. The step was taken even as protests were carried out by certain outfits demanding that encroachment at the prime land of Gurugram in the garb of religious rituals should be prohibited. The protestors have also demanded that strict government action must also be taken in other prime areas of the city.

The vacant land near Saraswati Kunj is adjoining the Golf Course road that houses some of the most expensive real estate properties in the country. It may be noted that large part of Saraswati Kunj Colony does not have the licence and is therefore illegal.

Amid the controversy, the issue of high encroachments of prime property has again gained traction. While the fringe groups have alleged that this is a ploy to illegally capture the land, the charges have been denied by the Muslim devotees. In the past, there have been instances where religious structures have been built to encroach upon the prime land.

Most of the fringe outfits have termed the move of encroachment as 'land jehad'. The controversial situation again highlights the issue of rise in aggressive fringe elements in Gurugram.

Earlier, issues such as selling 'beef biryani' on the streets of Mewat and 'illegal trade of cattle' had sparked violent protests and controversies.