Omar Abdullah Condemns Restrictions On Private Worship Amidst Mosque Conversion Controversy

The Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM), a right-wing group, reported that Dehradun District Magistrate Sonika had initially ordered the sealing of the modified flats.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 27 August 2023 5:25 pm

former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah, a leader of the National Conference, raised concerns about the right to private worship in Dehradun, Uttarakhand's capital. The issue revolves around protests led by a right-wing group regarding the alleged conversion of two residential houses into a mosque in a residential colony.

Abdullah posted on X, highlighting the contradiction between the denial of private worship at homes and the assertion that India is free from religious discrimination. Additional District Magistrate Shiv Kumar Barnwal's report revealed that a householder in Dehradun had made structural modifications to unite two flats into a single unit, which was then being used as a mosque/madrasa.

The Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM), a right-wing group, reported that Dehradun District Magistrate Sonika had initially ordered the sealing of the modified flats. However, MDDA secretary Mohan Singh Barniya granted the house owner a week's time to revert the accommodation to its original state.

Krishna Bora, president of the Uttarakhand unit of HJM, expressed his outfit's demand for the cancellation of the 99-year lease allotted to the individual responsible for the modification, citing violations of norms. Bora also called for the suspension of MDDA secretary Barniya, accusing him of protecting the flat owner despite the alleged violations.

In support of these demands, both the HJM and the Devbhoomi Raksha Manch organized demonstrations outside the secretariat, alongside burning effigies of the MDDA secretary. Krishna Bora emphasized that Dehradun DM Sonika had the matter examined by the ADM, who confirmed the validity of the charges against the house owner. While DM Sonika ordered the sealing of the modified flats, the MDDA secretary's intervention prevented the execution of the order, as per Bora's statements.

The demands put forth by the Hindu Jagran Manch include the cancellation of the 99-year lease due to alleged MDDA rule violations and the suspension of the MDDA secretary for his perceived protection of the lease allottee.