250-year-old shrine near India-Pakistan Border faces notice amid anti-encroachment drive
JAISALMER: The ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Rajasthan's border districts has entered its third consecutive day, with authorities removing illegal constructions and encroachments within a 50-kilometre radius of the India-Pakistan border. Several religious sites, many of them decades or even cen
By Vimal Bhatia
JAISALMER: The ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Rajasthan's border districts has entered its third consecutive day, with authorities removing illegal constructions and encroachments within a 50-kilometre radius of the India-Pakistan border.
Several religious sites, many of them decades or even centuries old and revered by people from different communities, have also come under scrutiny.
One such case has emerged from the border town of Ramgarh in Jaisalmer district, where a nearly 250-year-old religious shrine has been served a notice by the administration.The issue concerns the Mehmood Shah Pir Jilani Dargah, located on the Ramgarh–Tanot bypass road.
Following the notice issued by the administration, the matter has become a topic of intense discussion in the region.
Local residents claim that the shrine is more than 250 years old and has long served as a symbol of communal harmony and shared cultural heritage.On June 18, officials pasted a legal notice on the wall of the shrine, directing the management to submit valid land ownership and construction-related documents by June 22.
The notice warns that if a satisfactory response is not received, action may be initiated after noon on June 23.
The move has drawn objections from villagers and local leaders.Former Ramgarh Sarpanch Govind Bhargava claimed that even the Indian Army had respected the historical and religious significance of the shrine in the past.
According to him, during military infrastructure development in the border region around 1980, Army officials surveyed the area and initially planned bunkers and defensive positions near the shrine.
However, after local residents informed them about its religious importance and long-standing public faith, the Army allegedly shifted its construction work elsewhere.Bhargava stated that Army officials inspected the site and decided not to disturb it, acknowledging its historical and social significance.
He added that over the years, local residents contributed donations to develop facilities at the shrine, making it an important center of faith and community engagement.Congress district president Amardeen Fakir criticized the action, saying that it is unrealistic to expect centuries-old religious sites to possess complete legal documentation.
He argued that demolishing such structures solely on the basis of missing records would be unjust.He further noted that the restricted border zone, which was once limited to 10 kilometres, was later extended to 15 kilometres and eventually to nearly 50 kilometres.
According to him, more than half of Jaisalmer's population now falls within this area.
He expressed concern that many poor families and livestock-rearing communities fear future displacement or restrictions affecting their homes and livelihoods.Fakir said that notices have recently been served to several religious sites, while demolition action has already been carried out at some locations.
He maintained that many shrines in this backward region date back to the pre-Independence era, when formal land documentation was often not maintained.
Therefore, taking action solely due to the absence of official records is inappropriate, he argued.Jumma Khan, president of the Ramgarh Shrine Committee, also stated that the religious site is approximately 250 years old.
He confirmed that an administrative team pasted the legal notice on the shrine premises on June 18.According to Khan, the notice was issued by Ramgarh Colonization Tehsildar Gyan Singh under the provisions of the Rajasthan Colonization Act, seeking valid land and construction documents.
He said obtaining such records for a centuries-old religious site is extremely difficult today.
Khan added that the shrine has been associated with the faith of local people for generations and has received support not only through public donations but also from local governing bodies over the years.He further stated that if the required documents are not submitted by June 22, the administration may begin demolition proceedings after 12 noon on June 23.
The possibility of such action has created anxiety among villagers and devotees.According to Khan, the shrine holds significance not only for the Muslim community but also for many Hindus, who regularly visit to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Two major fairs are organized at the site every year, attracting devotees from distant areas.
Local shepherds and villagers also frequently visit the shrine, which has long been regarded as a symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in the region.Notably, following notices and demolition actions involving religious sites in Jaisalmer's Nachna area and various locations in Barmer district, an atmosphere of concern, resentment, and tension has reportedly developed in parts of the border region.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Jaipur | Silver Rate in Jaipur | Bank Holidays in Jaipur | Public Holidays in Jaipur | Jaipur AQI | Weather in Jaipur | Petrol Price in Jaipur | Diesel Price in Jaipur | CNG Price in Jaipur | LPG Price in JaipurStay updated with the latest Jaipur news.
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