Shabbir welcomes the reconstruction of Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood in Shamshabad

Hyderabad, August 5: Welcoming the decision of the State Government to permit the re-construction of illegally demolished Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood in Shamshabad, former minister and ex-Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao should explain why the mosque was demolished in the first place.

Shabbir Ali, in a media statement on Friday, said that the TRS Govt carried out the demolition of Masjid-e-Khaja Mahmood illegally in a highly intimidating manner. All roads leading to the mosque were barricaded, the houses of local residents were locked from outside, the power supply in the area was cut off and a big demolition squad was deployed to bring down the mosque in a few hours. The demolition was done as if there was some activity being carried out in a war zone, he said.

The Congress leader said it was only due to the protests conducted by Congress, other parties and religious organisations that the State Government permitted the reconstruction of the mosque. However, he said that the TRS Govt cannot save its face by merely granting permission for the reconstruction of the mosque. “It must be clarified as to whose instance the mosque was demolished in the first place. Was it done at the instance of the Chief Minister’s Office? What role did Minister K. Tarakarama Rao play as it was his department (Municipal Administration) that carried out the demolition? Was Home Minister Mahmood Ali aware of the demolition in advance as a huge number of police personnel were deployed to carry out the demolition in the early hours of 3rd August?” he asked.

Shabbir Ali alleged that the TRS Govt was facilitating the MIM to draw political mileage out of the mosque demolition. “By trying to take credit for the reconstruction of the mosque, MIM leaders are trying to act as heroes. But before doing so, MIM President & MP Asaduddin Owaisi needs to explain why was he silent about the villain in this incident. Everyone knows that all political parties and groups held a protest against the demolition of the mosque and demanded its reconstruction. However, by trying to give credit to MIM leaders, TRS Govt is trying to cover up its mistakes,” he alleged.

The Congress leader said that the TRS Govt has so far demolished six mosques across Telangana State in the last eight years. “CM KCR and his communal government committed the sin of hurting the sentiments of Muslims. CM KCR must apologise for his mistakes and facilitate reconstruction of all demolished mosques at their original sites without further delay,” he demanded.