Urus near Navi Mumbai airport site halted

• Mumbai High Court slams authorities

• Muslims had requested permission from the Waqf Board to celebrate the Urus

• The dargah built on CIDCO land was demolished last year

(Urus is a Muslim festival)

Navi Mumbai – The Mumbai High Court has ruled that permission cannot be granted for the celebration of Urus at the former site of the Phool Peer Shah Baba Dargah, which was located near the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport.

1. The Phool Peer Shah Baba Dargah, built near the upcoming airport on CIDCO-owned land near Panvel, was demolished in November 2024. After the demolition, CIDCO fenced off the area following a prolonged legal battle.

2. CIDCO informed the authorities via an affidavit that action had been taken against the dargah.

3. Despite the demolition, locals applied to the Waqf Authority in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, requesting permission to hold the Urus at the site. The Waqf Authority granted permission unilaterally.

4. CIDCO then filed a petition against this decision, leading to above High Court ruling. The next hearing is scheduled for 25thFebruary.

5. The High Court stayed the Waqf Board’s approval, stating, “Since the dargah has been demolished, granting permission for Urus here is not appropriate.” The petition was heard before the single bench of Justice Sandeep Marne.

6. Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing CIDCO, argued that “Urus cannot be permitted at a site where no dargah exists.” The Court upheld this argument, questioning, “When the dargah has been demolished, why was permission granted for the Urus?”

Editorial Perspectives

• How can the Urus organisers seek permission from the Waqf Authority when the land belongs to CIDCO ? How are they connected ? Also how can the Waqf Authority grant permission unilaterally despite not having ownership of the land ?
• Despite the demolition of the dargah, religious extremists are planning to celebrate Urus at the same site again. This reflects their religious fanaticism.
• Please note that had CIDCO not filed a petition, these extremists would have conspired to celebrate the Urus annually and gradually encroach on the land.