Security was beefed up in Hyderabad's Amberpet area on Sunday afternoon after the Darsgah Jihad O Shahdat (DJS) gave a call to Muslims to offer prayers at the Ek Khana Masjid, the disputed structure which was demolished by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) earlier this month along with the Ashoor Khana Hazrat Abbas for road widening.
After the DJS' call, BJP MLA Raja Singh also gave a counter-call to gather at the spot. Mild tension prevailed as a large number of people gathered in front of the Jama Masjid in Amberpet and indulged in sloganeering. Following this, the police detained at least eight activists of the Muslim organisation and shifted them to Bollarum police station
A large number of police personnel were deployed outside the Goshamahal legislator's residence. Some leaders of the Hindu Vahini and Bharatiya Janata Mazdoor Sangh were also taken into custody when they attempted to visit the spot and were shifted to Bowenpally police station before being released in the evening.
Personnel from the Commissioner’s Task Force, City Armed Reserve and City Rapid Action Force were present at the spot, along with senior officials. Patrolling was also intensified as the Amberpet road led to Uppal where the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was taking place on Sunday.
A day ahead of the call for the protest on Saturday, city police Commissioner Anjani Kumar had warned those who were attempting to disrupt peace.
"Some people with a vested interest have been spreading rumours and fake news in social media about gathering people at Amberpet. No unlawful gathering shall be allowed at Amberpet, particularly in and around the area where there was a law and order situation on last Sunday. Anyone trying to disturb the peace and tranquility at Amberpet shall be dealt with severely in accordance with law. All members of the public are requested to cooperate with police in maintenance of public order and peace," Anjani Kumar said in a statement.
The entire incident can be traced back to May 2 when the GHMC demolished the structure, known as Masjid-e-Ek-Khana, as part of ongoing road widening work. The municipal body claimed that they had ‘bought’ the land from an individual and had even paid out compensation for the property. This had triggered protests even as the Wakf Board said that it has total rights over the plot and accused the municipal body of negligence.
“The board’s position on this matter is very clear. We have a Survey Commissioner report from 1964 that shows that it is Wakf property. We also have a survey report from two or three years ago stating that the land belongs to us. Our contention is that the GHMC should not have gone ahead with the demolition without informing the board. We have spoken to the GHMC and said that no further work should take place,” Wakf Board CEO Shahnawaz Qasim had told TNM earlier.