In a serious security concern, an illegal dargah has sprung up right next to the Navi Mumbai International Airport which will be operational by March 2025. The Dargah has been built atop a hill at Panvel’s Pargaon village. This is yet another case of land jihad where authorities have been caught napping while the encroachers have occupied a strategic location atop a hill with a clear view of the main runway.
Hindu organizations red flag construction of illegal Dargah
Hindu IT Cell has taken up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs. In their mail, they highlighted the security threat posed by the structure while requesting the Home Ministry to take urgent steps to address this issue. The encroachment that began about 15 years ago, now covers about an acre of land housing five to six rooms with tin shed roofs. Hindu IT Cell also stated that the Navi Mumbai Police and other concerned authorities have failed to act despite complaints filed with them by multiple organizations. Newspaper reports state CIDCO, that has acquired the land adjacent to the airport, served notices to remove the illegal Dargah but concerned authorities have not taken any action.
Timeline of Dargah’s construction & expansion
Journalist Pranav Jadhav shared a video explaining the entire timeline of the encroachment. He also explained how this illegal dargah poses a security risk, as anyone standing at the illegal structure would have a clear view of the main runway and the highway that leads to the strategic JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) port. A very important issue raised by Pranav in the video was of the barricade that now gives complete hold of the hill to the Dargah authorities. Essentially, the barricade controls who can and cannot visit the area beyond the barricade.
In 2011, there was only a white stone on a barren piece of land with nothing around. Even the well, that the Dargah authorities claim existed before 2011, wasn’t there. What was a trail in 2011 turned into a kaccha road by 2012 and the well was dug up during this time period. The illegal dome, main Dargah building, and outhouse were erected between 2011 and 2012. By 2013, a seating area and fountain were constructed and by January 2014, a prominent structure was built. Improvements were made to the Dargah by 2018 and two blocks were place in 2021 that turned into a full-fledged barricade by 2024.
Interestingly, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) had raised the issue last March. They wrote to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), urging action against the illegal dargah on CIDCO land near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The structure, which has expanded over 15 years, poses a national security threat due to its proximity to the airport, according to HJS. National spokesperson Ramesh Shinde emphasized that this illegal encroachment, covering about one acre and consisting of multiple rooms, remains unaddressed despite notices issued by CIDCO.
Shinde also highlighted concerns about the potential transfer of the land to the Waqf Board, making it permanently Waqf property. He referred to similar instances where illegal structures were “gifted” to the Waqf Board, complicating future legal actions. HJS noted a pattern of illegal constructions in strategically important locations, citing the demolished Mahim Dargah, which had falsely been claimed to be a 600-year-old dargah despite no record of it in 2018 satellite images. The HJS delegation planned to meet CIDCO officials to demand immediate action against such illegal constructions.
However, no further action has been taken despite more than a year having passed since HJS wrote to the authorities. Journalist Pranav Jadhav took to social media to share information on the matter. He stated that an inquiry is ongoing and the Pargaon Dargah matter is currently sub-judice.
This is a perfect example of how a once barren area was slowly captured and turned into a Dargah. Hindu Samaj needs to be vigilant and ensure such encroachments are nipped in the bud. Authorities need to be pressurised to act and that is possible only if the Hindu Samaj unitedly demands action.
(Featured Image Source: Pranav Jadhav’s X account)
