Telangana High Court Intervenes to Protect Historic Dargah in Vemulawada
In a significant development, the Telangana endowments department has provided a crucial assurance to the Telangana High Court, pledging to refrain from any coercive measures against the Dargah Hazrath Syed Tajuddin Khaja Bagh Sawar. This 12th-century heritage shrine is situated within the premises of the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple in Vemulawada, located in the Rajanna Sircilla district.
Legal Proceedings and Petitioner's Concerns
The assurance was formally presented by the standing counsel for the endowments department before Justice B Vijaysen Reddy. This occurred during the hearing of a lunch motion petition filed by Mohammad Nazima, who is challenging alleged actions by local authorities. According to the petition, the dargah has faced fencing, barricading, and obstruction, raising serious concerns about its preservation and accessibility.
Representing the petitioner, counsel Zeeshan Adnan Mahmood argued passionately in court. He emphasized that the dargah has stood for over 800 years as a powerful symbol of communal harmony, coexisting peacefully alongside the renowned Vemulawada temple. Mahmood contended that recent moves by officials, including the district collector and the executive officer of the devasthanam, threaten to relocate the shrine, which he described as striking at the very soul of the region's composite cultural heritage.
Key Legal Arguments and Department's Response
In his submissions, Mahmood further asserted that the mutawalli (custodian) of the dargah lacks any legal authority to consent to such a relocation. He clarified that exclusive authority over such matters rests with the Telangana Waqf Board, highlighting potential jurisdictional issues in the case.
In response, the standing counsel for the endowments department informed the court that no coercive steps would be taken in this matter until March 2. This commitment was made to ensure a fair and thorough legal process without immediate threats to the dargah's status.
Court's Decision and Future Hearings
Justice Reddy recorded the department's submission and subsequently adjourned the case to March 2 for further hearing. This adjournment allows time for additional legal arguments and evidence to be presented, ensuring that all aspects of the petition are carefully considered before any final decisions are made.
The case underscores ongoing tensions between heritage preservation and administrative actions in Telangana. It brings to light critical issues regarding:
- The protection of historical religious sites
- The legal frameworks governing waqf properties
- The importance of maintaining communal harmony through cultural heritage
As the legal battle continues, stakeholders and the public await the next hearing, which will likely delve deeper into the constitutional and cultural implications of the alleged actions against this ancient dargah.
