Gujarat HC orders a status quo on Kalupur Dargah; seeks response from railways

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday directed railway authorities to maintain the status quo regarding the eviction notice given to the Kalu Shaheed Dargah near Kalupur railway station. The notice, issued by the Western Railway division and Rail Land Development Authority on October 26, demanded the removal of the unauthorized Dargah to facilitate the redevelopment of the Ahmedabad station.

In response, Sabirhusen Malek, the caretaker of the Dargah, petitioned the High Court to nullify the notice and halt its execution until a final decision was reached.

Justice Vaibhavi D. Nanavati issued a notice to the railway authorities, setting the return date for January 16, 2024. Until the next hearing, the court ordered that the properties remain unchanged, providing temporary relief to the petitioner.

The petition highlighted the violation of the Waqf Act, stating that the Dargah has been a Waqf property since 2002 and actions regarding it should involve the Waqf Board.

However, Jitendra Jain, the public relations officer for the Ahmedabad division of Western Railways, told the media that the railways can send notices to the Mandir and Masjid on its premises. They are building a modern station worth Rs 3,000 crore and seek everyone’s support. “Our focus includes safeguarding the Jhulta Minars (shaking minarets). As per our assessment, the Masjid holds no heritage status. If they claim to have a historical span of 500 years, we require documented evidence. If they were recognized as heritage sites, we would have ensured their protection,” he said. DeshGujarat