Surat authorities raze ‘encroachment'; mosque trust claims ownership of land, alleges proper measurement not carried out
The Jumma Masjid trust, though, claimed the land parcel was owned by it and the officials had not measured it properly before carrying out the demolition.
Sources said that acting on District Collector Dr Sourabh Pardhi's order, DLR (district land record) officials checked the records and found the parcel to be a piece of government land.
Sources said that on Sunday, Sayan village sarpanch Shailesh Patel, Talati Bharat Chaudhary and Olpad taluka panchayat's elected member from Sayan seat, Dipesh Patel, held a meeting with Jumma Masjid trust members and asked them to remove the encroachment. Claiming that they owned the land, the Masjid trust members refused to vacate it, the sources added.
On Monday, officials from Olpad Taluka Mamlatdar office and his team with police department staffers, incharge sarpanch and others reached the spot with a bulldozer and carried out the demolition of the compound wall as well as the chicken shop. To be sure, the trust does not own the chicken shop.
Following the demolition, Jumma Masjid trust members submitted an application against the exercise with the district collector's office. The trust members also went to the Sayan Gram panchayat office and claimed ownership of the land. The trust members alleged that measurement of the land was not done properly by DLR officials.
Talking to The Indian Express, Olpad taluka Mamlatdar H D Chopda said, 'The Masjid trust members had made an encroachment on the government land and after getting it measured by the DLR officials, we have removed the encroachment of a shop and barbed-wired compound. The land area from where encroachment has been removed is around 500 meters.'
Sayan Jumma Trust Masjid member Ebuh Manakh said, 'The land has been with the trust for long and we have been paying taxes to the Gram Panchayat every year. When DLR officials turned up at the spot, the authorities should have informed us so that we could also be present there. We are not satisfied with the land measurement done by the DLR and have raised objection to it through an application made to the district collector of Surat.'
Collector Pardhi could not be contacted for comment.
Sources said the government land, bearing block no. 606, near the Muslim graveyard in the village was earlier used to store agricultural produce. After the farmers stopped using it decades ago, the Jumma Masjid trust of the village made a barbed-wired compound on it. The chicken shop had been running out of the premises for several years, they added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Natasha Cloud claps back at Donald Trump over Zohran Mamdani comments in bold rebuttal
President launched a fiery tirade this week, taking aim at New York mayoral candidate with a string of insults that lit up political discourse across the country. He labeled Mamdani a '100% Communist Lunatic' attacking his appearance and voice. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Trump's rant drew swift condemnation, including a sharp and passionate response from WNBA star Natasha Cloud. The New York Liberty star didn't hold anything back as she defended Mamdani and called out the broader implications of Trump's comments. Natasha Cloud fires back at Donald Trump's Mamdani rant with powerful defense of progressive values Speaking after the New York Liberty practice session, Natasha Cloud addressed Trump's remarks head-on, calling his comments both dangerous and telling of something bigger unfolding. 'It's reckless of our president. It's reckless of this administration, but it's also exciting for us as the people,' Cloud said. 'That's when you know we're getting to them. That's when you know we're creating change that they don't want. That's when you know we're dismantling the system. And so for all of us in New York, I'm just gonna ask that we continue to be on the right path to history." Cloud also pushed back against how his identity is being used to discredit him. 'He gets the worst PR because he's a Muslim, he's a socialist, and he's a democrat,' she said. 'But he believes that it is the government's right to take care and make sure that all its constituents live a dignified life, regardless of who you are, what your religious affiliation or background is. I think that's beautiful." Trump's attacks, made on Truth Social and in front of reporters, went far beyond policy critiques. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He mocked Mamdani's intelligence, look, and speaking voice, saying, 'He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he's not very smart.' The former president even invoked the 'AOC+3' label and sarcastically suggested Mamdani be part of a future all-communist Democratic cabinet. 'Our Country is really SCREWED!' he wrote, per the New York Post. In another exchange, Trump threatened legal action if Mamdani refuses to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. 'Well, then we'll have to arrest him,' Trump said. 'We don't need a communist in this country… we send him money, we send him all the things that he needs to run a government.' Also Read: The back-and-forth has drawn intense media coverage, but Cloud's response has struck a chord with many. Of course, Cloud does not shy away from expressing her true feelings on political matters, as Cloud previously criticized Donald Trump over Iran airstrikes.
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
Pakistan to betray Iran and make friendship with Israel? Islamabad says this on joining Abraham Accord
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Pakistan to betray Iran? The recent decade has seen many Islamic countries of the world including UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco improving their relations with Israel. In the historic development, many Muslim countries signed the Abraham Accord, brokered by the United States of America, led by US President Donald Trump. However, Pakistan has been one of the rare Muslim countries which has never shown any positivity towards Israel. However, media reports are now talking about the increasing international pressure on Pakistan to join the Abraham Accords. Here are all the details you need to know about Pakistan's recent stand on Israel. Amid the reports of Pakistan joining Israel, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan will only consider signing the Abraham Accords if a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is ensured. Maintaining the position on Israel, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also firmly rejected recognizing Israel until the two-state solution is implemented. Readers must note that Iran and Israel recently engaged in a military conflict and if Pakistan accepts Israel, it will be like betraying Iran. EAM Jaishankar reacts on Pakistan issue in India-US relations In another significant development relating to Pakistan, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar dismissed the notion that Pakistan impinges on the relations between the US and India, which are based on their complementarity and not on third countries. He also dismissed the claims of US President Donald Trump that he forged the ceasefire between the two neighbours after Operation Sindoor, saying the record speaks for itself. 'I would really urge you to get over the idea that we need to define ourselves regarding third countries in order to forge ahead' in ties with the US, EAM Jaishankar told a questioner who asked if there was a change in the relations because of Pakistan. 'Big relationships are not forged in terms of third countries and where they fit,' he emphasised. (With inputs from agencies)
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Zumba Row: Kerala Teacher Suspended For Criticising Govt's Move On Social Media
Last Updated: A teacher from T A M UP School, was suspended for a social media post criticising Zumba, which the Kerala Education Department introduced in schools for an anti-drug campaign. A teacher from T A M UP School in Edathanattukara, T K Ashraf, has been suspended following a social media post criticising the Zumba dance. He was suspended by the school management pending an inquiry. Following strong intervention by the Department of Education, the school took action and suspended the teacher. A meeting was held at the school on Thursday to decide on the next steps. The school manager confirmed that a copy of the suspension order has been sent to the Education Department. The controversy started when T K Ashraf shared a post on social media criticising Zumba dance. As the issue sparked public debate, the Department of General Education issued a notice to the school manager through the Deputy Director of Education, Palakkad, seeking action within 24 hours. The management requested three days to respond, but the department did not grant the extension. Subsequently, the suspension order was handed over on Thursday morning. The Kerala education department introduced Zumba in schools as part of its anti-drug campaign, and some Muslim outfits have objected to the decision. The move is facing backlash as some religious groups objected to girls and boys 'intermingling" and 'dancing together wearing minimal clothes". Many schools in the state have begun offering Zumba training from this academic year. Zumba is a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. However, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty defended the move and also shared a video on Facebook showing the participation of Muslim students in a Zumba session.'Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy," Sivankutty said. CPM General Secretary MA Baby called the objections based on misconceptions. He noted that Zumba is done globally and that the students were 'fully clothed". The SNDP has backed the move. Youth Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil and DYFI have also expressed support. First Published: July 03, 2025, 19:15 IST
