Supreme Court rejects plea for Urs at Gir Somnath demolition site

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected an application seeking permission to hold Urs (death anniversary of Sufi saint) between February 1 to 3 at a Dargah situated near the Gir Somnath demolition site in Gujarat..A Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih passed the order after the State government said no religious activities, including Hindu rituals, were being permitted at the disputed site.The application for permission had been moved in a contempt of court case related to the demolitions. A related case challenging Gujarat High Court's refusal to stay the demolitions in the Gir Somnath district of the State is also pending before the top court. .During the hearing, the counsel representing the applicant submitted that on January 30, the authorities denied permission for Urs, claiming there was no Dargah at the site. The counsel, however, submitted that annual Urs was being conducted for past many years and lasts only three days.In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that unauthorized constructions must be demolished, irrespective of religion. He noted that the main matter was pending before the High Court, adding that the disputed land belonged to government..The Court then asked whether demolitions had been carried out after obtaining permission from the concerned authorities. "Did they carry out these demolitions after obtaining permission from the appropriate authorities? They have also demolished temples..."The counsel representing the applicant in response said,"We are not aware if those have been demolished. If they have, then that too is wrong."SG Mehta submitted that land in question belongs to the government and that all unauthorized constructions, including Hindu temples, were demolished."There is also the Somnath Trust, and we are not permitting them to conduct any rituals either," he added.In light of the same, the Court rejected the plea.