Dargah inside Vemulawada temple premises relocated for renovation works, State govt tells HC

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday was informed by the State government that Dargah Hazrath Syed Tajuddin Khaja Bagh Sawar has been relocated from its premises at Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple at Vemulawada.

Advocate General A Sudarshan Reddy informed the court that the relocation to ‘a larger and safer place’ was part of temple renovation works undertaken by the State.

The HC was hearing a plea against the relocation of the dargah. The counsel for the petitioner, however, contended that Muthavali’s approval is not valid and insisted that the court protect the place.

The HC ordered the government to file a detailed counter-affidavit by March 16 and adjourned the case.

What is the case about?

The writ petition has been filed by Md. Nazima, a resident of Gandhi Nagar, Vemulawada. The petitioner contends that the Executive Officer of the temple and the District Collector of Rajanna Sircilla district illegally fenced and barricaded the site and attempted to relocate the Dargah, stated to be around 800 years old, without obtaining mandatory permission from the Telangana State Waqf Board.

It is alleged that these actions violate constitutional protections under Articles 14, 19, 21, 25 and 26, and have obstructed devotees from offering prayers and performing customary religious practices at the shrine.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner, Zeeshan, submitted photographs and asserted that until February, the Dargah existed within the temple premises. He urged the Court to direct protection of the original site from which the Dargah was allegedly shifted and to restrain any further interference.

The Court, however, declined to grant such relief at this stage.

Dargah is not the original location and has been shifted, says govt

Advocate General A Sudarshan Reddy informed the Court that the Dargah no longer exists at its earlier location as it has been shifted to a larger and safer place as part of temple renovation works undertaken by the State.

He stated that not only the Dargah but certain Hindu religious structures, including the Kotilingala Anjaneya Swamy structure, were also relocated as part of the redevelopment plan. According to the Advocate General, the relocation was carried out with the consent of the Dargah’s Mutawalli and locals.

‘Relocation part of redevelopment plan’

Supporting the State’s stand, Senior Counsel L Ravichander submitted that the relocation forms part of a broader initiative to upgrade the Vemulawada Temple and provide improved facilities to devotees.

‘Muthavali can’t decide on relocation’

Contrary to the contentions of the AG, Zeeshan, counsel for the petitioner, contended that Muthavali’s approval is not valid and insisted upon the court to protect the place from where the Dargah has been shifted, which contention was declined by the Judge.

Questioning whether the Dargah continues to exist within the temple premises, the Court directed the petitioner’s counsel to obtain instructions and place relevant information on record.

Justice Vijaysen Reddy observed that the Advocate General had made a statement regarding the relocation and remarked that the Court is conscious of its duty to protect religious places and fundamental rights.

The earlier interim direction issued on February 26, restraining the authorities from taking coercive steps against the Dargah, was withdrawn in view of the submissions made.

The matter was adjourned to March 16 for the State Government to file its counter-affidavit.