Heritage activists oppose digging near Qutb Shahi tomb in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Digging with heavy machinery at the foothills of a hillock that houses a Qutb Shahi era tomb, graveyard and mosque in Secretariat Hills Colony, Neknampur, has triggered protests from heritage activists. They say excavation just metres from the 500-year-old structure risks destabilising it and have complained to multiple authorities.
Activists allege illegal digging near heritage structures
Ilyas Khan, convener of Heritage Watch, filed complaints with the Hyderabad District Registration and Administration Authority, the municipal commissioner and the Rangareddy district collector. He alleged that “illegal digging” was underway around Madeena Masjid a reconstructed Qutb Shahi era mosque and the adjoining Saadullah Hussaini Dargah at Survey No. 31 in Gandipet mandal.
“This land belongs to the Qutb Shahi masjid and the Saadullah Hussaini Dargah, which are heritage sites, and digging within 200 metres of these sites is prohibited. The natural contour of the land is being disturbed and the masjid and tomb might collapse due to this,” Khan said. He added that the 59 acres and 0.02 guntas linked to the sites were being encroached upon despite earlier complaints.
Waqf officers raise alarm over night-time excavation
The Bhu Bharati portal marks the 59.02 acres as prohibited land, while classifying it as government land under Neknampur village. Waqf officials said they had previously faced threats when questioning the activity.
Abdul Qader, in-charge inspector auditor of the Waqf Board, alleged excavation and night-time blasting using heavy earthmovers close to the tomb. “This is highly objectionable and against the Archaeological Act, as the base of the old tomb is becoming very weak,” he said in a police complaint. He asked the police to register an FIR under Section 52(A) of the Waqf Act and other laws.
Mosque committee disputes encroachment charge
The mosque committee said the dispute was a “settled issue” being revived without cause. Committee president Mohammed Mazharuddin said the digging was on a “registered” plot allotted by the then Hyderabad Urban Development Authority when the colony was formed during the YSR era.
“The plot is not part of the mosque area and is not illegal. The mosque is secured with a wall. The developers have not moved even one foot beyond their allotted land. When the matter reached the police, even the ACP was convinced,” he said.
Fresh complaint filed citing threats
In a complaint lodged on November 6 at Narsingi police station, Ilyas Khan alleged that individuals at the site had threatened him and sought an inquiry. Narsingi ACP G. Venkata Ramana Goud said the matter must be resolved by the competent authorities. “If such matters come to us, we forward them to the concerned departments. These kinds of issues are handled by the Waqf itself,” he said.
