JOIN USSubmitting a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Chennappa Gowda, he said that the Suggikallu, which existed in the ancient period, is not an illegal structure. But, it is an historic monument. It is the road, developed by the City Municipality near the structure, is an illegal construction, he charged.
It is the duty of the government to preserve the historic monuments. People in the town consider Suggikallu as a monument of faith, he said adding that the monument should not be demolished at any cost.
Talking about the Syed Yakin Shavalli Darga, Ravi said that it has a history of more than 200 years. Khadri Syed Yakin Shah had built the Darga and the Khabrastan (burial ground) donating his own land in 1892. There are documents to prove the history of the Darga, he added.
It is evident that both structures were built even before the Town and City Municipalities came into existence. The footpath existed there has been converted into a road for the convenenience of people, Ravi said. Quoting State Additional Advocate General, Ravi said that only those structures, which were built on public places, come under the purview of the Supreme Court’s directive. Hence, the structures are not illegal, he added.
‘Protect Darga’
Darga Committee President Meer Gouz condemning the district administration’s move of demolishing the darga, said that the government should study the history of the structure before taking a final decision.
“The darga was not built on a government land. The road was constructed for the convenience of the pilgrims, who visit the darga. Hence, the district administration should find amicable solution, which should not hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims,” he added.
‘Pseudo secular stand’
The Congress and the JD(S) have exhibited a pseudo secular stand by opposing the district administration’s decision of demolishing the darga, which is situated in the middle of the road, said BJP District Spokesperson B Rajappa.
“Why the Congress and JD(S) did not raise objection when the district administration took a decision to demolish the Suggikallu, which is older than the darga,” Rajappa questioned. “Various organisations were holding protest against the district
administration’s decision of demolishing Suggikallu. Leaders of the Congress and the JD(S) did not utter a single word against the move then. However, those leaders are now competing to appease the minorities,” he ridiculed.
Rajappa urged on behalf of the BJP that the district administration should take initiatives to protect Suggikallu.