Hyderabad : Congress senior leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir has strongly objected to closure of places of worships located in Secretariat premises.
Shabbir Ali, in a media statement on Tuesday, condemned Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao for denial of access to two mosques and temples in the Secretariat premises, which has been locked down last Sunday. He said people were not being allowed to enter the mosques or temples in Secretariat premises since Monday. “The places of worship in the Secretariat are old structures and the staff of Secretariat and other offices in the surroundings has been praying there since several decades. By denying access, KCR Government is suppressing the Right to Religion of common people,” he said.
The former minister said that the Masjid Hashmi in Secretariat was renovated at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh when Dr. Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy was the chief minister. Despite renovation and construction of new blocks in the Secretariat, the places of worships were never closed for the common people. Prayers were allowed during Sundays and other holidays. However, by completely shutting the mosques and temples, KCR has given an open message that they would be demolished to facilitate the construction of a new structure.
Shabbir Ali said KCR Government was worse than BJP Governments in other States in terms of demolition of mosques. “Over a dozen mosques at different places in Telangana State have been either demolished or closed down ever since TRS came to power in Telangana State. People should be cautious with KCR as he is implementing the Sanghi agenda by wearing the mask of secularism,” he said.
He also slammed the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen for its silence on the demolition of Ek Khana Masjid and closure two mosques in the Secretariat premises. “By not raising their voice against KCR, MIM leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi are endorsing the anti-Muslim steps being taken by TRS Govt. At one side, MIM leaders create a false impression that they were defenders of Muslim interest. On the other side, they are supporting KCR in his anti-Muslim moves and serving the BJP by playing the role of ‘vote-katua’ (divider of votes).
Shabbir Ali demanded that the Chief Minister immediately order re-opening of places of worships in the Secretariat premises and also order re-construction of Ek Khana Masjid and other mosques which were demolished elsewhere in Telangana State. (NSS)
