Political Clash Halts Dargah Reconstruction in Jaipur's Walled City
Police forces were deployed near an under-construction dargah adjacent to Chandpole Gate and the nearby Shri Parkota Ganesh temple on Monday. This security measure followed a heated political controversy that erupted over reconstruction activities in the historic Walled City area of Jaipur.
MLA Confrontation Sparks Administration Response
The controversy intensified after a verbal confrontation on Sunday between Hawa Mahal BJP MLA Balmukundacharya and Kishanpole Congress MLA Amin Kagzi at the construction site. This exchange prompted local authorities to enhance security arrangements as a precautionary measure to prevent potential unrest.
Municipal Corporation Clarifies Reconstruction Details
Kishanpole zone executive engineer Hemaram Dhaka provided clarification regarding the Jaipur Municipal Corporation's position on the matter. He emphasized that the reconstruction work was conducted according to prescribed norms and regulations.
"The contractor, M/s Godh Builders, received instructions three days prior to maintain the mandatory distance required under heritage wall regulations," Dhaka stated. "While there was no major violation during reconstruction, some bamboo supports extended 5 to 7 feet closer to the heritage wall than permitted. We immediately directed the contractor to remove these supports."
Dhaka confirmed that an official notice was issued to the builder following the dispute between the two legislators. He revealed that the project involved replacing a deteriorated tin shed with a permanent roof structure, sanctioned through a work order valued at approximately Rs 18 lakh from Kagzi's MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund.
The executive engineer announced that all construction activities would remain suspended until the administration reaches a final decision regarding the project's continuation.
Local Residents Express Frustration Over Work Stoppage
Community members voiced criticism regarding the halted reconstruction efforts. Chandpole resident Raza Mohammad highlighted that Kagzi had previously utilized MLA LAD funds for renovation projects at Hanuman and Ganesh temples, suggesting the dargah roof repair represented similar legitimate work.
"There were no issues with previous projects. Why should the Hawa Mahal MLA intervene in this particular case?" Mohammad questioned.
Another resident, Ayub Qureshi, noted that the tin shed had significantly deteriorated over time. He expressed concern that characterizing the decades-old dargah and mosque as encroachments was fundamentally unfair to the local Muslim community.
Contrasting Political Perspectives Emerge
BJP MLA Balmukundacharya defended his intervention, claiming he received alerts from Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal members regarding alleged illegal expansion of the ancient structure. He asserted the construction threatened the heritage character of Jaipur and violated existing court orders.
"Any construction activity near the heritage wall without proper authorization constitutes a clear violation," the BJP legislator emphasized. "This area has unfortunately become a potential flashpoint for inter-community tensions, necessitating immediate administrative attention."
In contrast, Congress MLA Kagzi dismissed Balmukundacharya's allegations as political posturing. He maintained the project represented simple replacement of an old tin shed rather than substantial reconstruction that would alter the area's character.
"Construction has been temporarily suspended and will only resume following thorough verification of the MLA LAD funded project," Kagzi stated, underscoring his commitment to procedural compliance despite the political controversy.
