Belagavi, Dec 10: The grave that allegedly surfaced during demolition of a utility counter belonging to the Belagavi City Corporation at Khanjar Galli locality here in September was dug up on Wednesday in the presence of Muslim community leaders who unanimously declared it fake.
The controversial grave had whipped up passions in the communally sensitive border city, with some members of the Muslim community insisting it was the shrine of a Sufi saint and opposing any construction on it. The BJP, too, seized the opportunity and tried to take out a procession to the site, demanding removal of the grave. There were also stone-throwings over the issue.
The Belagavi district administration was on its toes in order to defuse the tension. It entrusted Muslim leaders with establishing the authenticity of the grave.
On Tuesday night, Ulema (Muslim religious leaders) tried to excavate the site but in vain. The operation resumed in the early hours of Wednesday and an earthmover was pressed into service. Then, the grave was declared fake.
“In view of the prevailing tension and to resolve the matter which had become a bone of contention, the Ulemas decided to excavate the site as per the Shariah law and in presence of the authorities concerned. We haven’t found any human remains or other evidence to suggest that it was a mazar (shrine). Hence, we unanimously declared it a fake grave,” said Syed Mohammad Tanveer Hashmi, a Sufi leader from Vijayapura who headed the team of Ulema.
Maulana Tajuddin Khadri of Hirebagewadi and Maulana Inamdar of Bashiban Dargah, Belagavi, were also present. Hashmi also said the “issue had been handled with great responsibility and thoroughly examined.”
The purported grave was in fact the foundation of the electricity payment counter that existed before. Stressing that India is a country of Sufi saints, he appealed to both Muslims and Hindus to live in harmony to ensure the development and progress of the nation. With religious leaders clearing the confusion, the district administration and the police heaved a sigh of relief. Large number of police personnel were deployed at the site ever since the controversy erupted to prevent any untoward incident.
Deputy Commissioner N Jayaram, Police Commissioner S Ravi and Deputy Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal camped at the site to monitor the situation.
Jayaram said the issue had been finally put to an end and urged people not to heed any rumors or give provocative statements.
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