Congress condemns the demolition of the mosque in Shamshabad

Hyderabad, August 3: Former Minister & ex-Leader of Opposition Mohammed Ali Shabbir has strongly condemned the TRS Government for the demolition of Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood in the Green Avenue Colony, Shamshabad.

“This is the sixth mosque demolished by TRS Govt in the last eight years. TRS is proving to be T-RSS and it is demolishing the mosques without any fear of facing consequences. Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood in Shamshabad, like five other mosques in Telangana, was demolished illegally by involving the local administration. This has exposed the fake secularism of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao,” Shabbir Ali alleged.

Shabbir Ali said that the TRS Govt was no different from BJP Govts which are targetting the minorities and their places of worship. “While three mosques were demolished on the pretext of road widening, two mosques were demolished in July 2020 to facilitate the construction of a new Secretariat. Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood is the sixth mosque demolished illegally under the TRS regime,” he said while accusing CM KCR of deliberately hurting the sentiments of Muslims repeatedly.

“KCR is trying to play with fire by demolishing mosques. We will not tolerate any attack on our places of worship irrespective of who is carrying out those attacks. Every time a mosque was demolished, the TRS Govt came up with some explanation to express regret. Fake assurances were given for the reconstruction of demolished mosques in their original place. However, none of the six demolished mosques was re-constructed. The Ek Khana Masjid in Amberpet was demolished in May 2019 while Secretariat mosques were demolished in July 2020. None of the three mosques has been reconstructed at their original place despite repeated assurances given by the Chief Minister, Home Minister Mahmood Ali and other TRS leaders. They are trying to play the same trick in the case of Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood,” he alleged.

Shabbir Ali alleged that Municipal Administration Minister K. Tarakarama Rao had prior knowledge of the demolition of Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood in Shamshabad and the entire demolition was carried out by his department. Similarly, Home Minister Mahmood Ali too was aware of demolition as the police department provided full protection to the illegal demolition. “It is unbelievable that the officials would’ve carried out the demolition of a mosque without informing the ministers concerned. It was done with the approval of Minister KTR,” he alleged.

The Congress leader also condemned MIM President Asaduddin Owaisi for his silence over the demolition of Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood. “Why Asaduddin Owaisi, who claims to be an ally of TRS, is silent on the issue? Why he did not join the protest against the demolition?” he asked.

Shabbir Ali said that the MIM President would seal a deal with CM KCR in return for his silence on the demolition of Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood. “MIM leaders have made such compromises in the past. Asaduddin Owaisi highlights himself as a national leader of the Muslim community. But he never speaks about the demolition of mosques in Telangana or injustices being done against Muslims by the TRS Govt. Instead of holding a protest, he will take a delegation of Muslim religious leaders to Pragathi Bhavan to give an assurance of silence while seeking other favours,” he said.

The Congress leader demanded that Home Minister Mahmood Ali resign from the cabinet in protest against the illegal demolition of Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood. “Mahmood Ali has been given a cabinet berth because he represents the Muslim community. If he is unable to protect the illegal demolition of mosques, then he has failed not only as a Muslim but also as a Home Minister. Therefore, he should resign from his post immediately,” he said.

Shabbir Ali demanded that the Chief Minister break his silence on the demolition of mosques in Telangana, tender unconditional apology and order their reconstruction on an immediate basis.