The anti-encroachment drive in Rajasthan's border districts entered its third consecutive day, with authorities targeting illegal constructions within a 50-kilometre radius of the India-Pakistan border. Among the structures under scrutiny is the Mehmood Shah Pir Jilani Dargah in Ramgarh, Jaisalmer district, a nearly 250-year-old shrine revered by multiple communities.
Notice Served to Historic Shrine
On June 18, officials pasted a legal notice on the dargah's wall, demanding valid land ownership and construction documents by June 22. The notice, issued by Ramgarh Colonization Tehsildar Gyan Singh under the Rajasthan Colonization Act, warns that failure to comply may lead to demolition after noon on June 23. The shrine, located on the Ramgarh–Tanot bypass road, has become a focal point of debate in the region.
Local Leaders Question the Move
Former Ramgarh Sarpanch Govind Bhargava highlighted that the Indian Army had previously respected the shrine's significance. During military infrastructure development in the 1980s, Army officials initially planned bunkers near the site but shifted construction elsewhere after locals explained its religious importance. Bhargava noted that residents have since donated to develop the shrine, making it a center of faith and community engagement.
Congress district president Amardeen Fakir criticized the notice, arguing that centuries-old religious sites cannot be expected to have complete legal documentation. He pointed out that the restricted border zone, once 10 kilometres, has expanded to nearly 50 kilometres, affecting over half of Jaisalmer's population. Fakir expressed concern that poor families and livestock-rearing communities fear displacement. He added that several religious sites have received notices, and some have already been demolished, despite many dating back to pre-Independence times when formal land records were not maintained.
Shrine Committee's Response
Jumma Khan, president of the Ramgarh Shrine Committee, confirmed the shrine's age at approximately 250 years. He stated that obtaining centuries-old documents is extremely difficult. The shrine has long been supported by public donations and local governing bodies. Khan emphasized that the site is significant for both Muslims and Hindus, who visit regularly to pray. Two major fairs are held annually, attracting devotees from distant areas. The shrine is regarded as a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in the region.
Broader Impact of the Drive
Following notices and demolitions at religious sites in Jaisalmer's Nachna area and Barmer district, an atmosphere of concern, resentment, and tension has reportedly developed in parts of the border region. The drive continues to draw scrutiny from local communities and leaders, who fear loss of heritage and livelihood.
