Controversy over mosque condition in Kashmir's only fort

Srinagar, Apr 26 (UNI) A fresh controversy has erupted in Kashmir over the condition of an ancient mosque in the premises of Hari Parbat Fort overlooking the Srinagar city with separatists and some Muslim groups accusing the security forces of demolishing the religious place even as the officials denied the charge.

The historical fort was thrown open for general public on April 18 on the World Heritage Day after it remained shut for the visitors for about 18 years since the outbreak of violence in the Kashmir valley in 1989.

However, the authorities closed the fort for public a few days later on April 24, saying the restoration and renovation work on the monument had been hampered due to the heavy rush of visitors.

It was later alleged by several separatist and religious groups that the security forces had demolished the mosque in the fort premises while a temple and a gurdwara were intact.

The breakaway Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and the Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of Faith) of Asiya Andrabi have urged the people to launch a massive statewide but peaceful agitation against the alleged demolition.

Addressing a news conference here, breakaway Hurriyat leader Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai and Ms Andrabi called upon the people to take to the streets after Friday prayers outside every mosque in Kashmir, but in a peaceful manner.

They also urged the people to march toward the Hari Parbat Fort and start the construction work on the mosque. ''We will rebuild the mosque, brick by brick, on our own,'' they added.

However, the officials have denied that the mosque had been demolished by the security forces.

Director Archives, Khursheed Ahmed Qadri told UNI that the mosque was in a dilapidated condition and on the verge of collapse because the authorities were unable to manage the religious structure during all these years when the Fort was occupied by the security forces.

''The remains of the mosque suggest that it has come down on its own,'' he added.

Mr Qadri said the temple and the gurdwara were managed by the security forces who used to regularly worship there.

He said the department has started the restoration work on the entire Fort some time ago. ''But as the monument is spread over an area of about 200 kanals (10 hectares) of land and has several compartments, the complete restoration and renovation work will take some time,'' the Director said.

He said it would not be possible to start the restoration and renovation work on all the compartments simultaneously.

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