Mehbooba Mufti Hails Supreme Court’s Stay on Nashik Dargah Demolition, Calls Judiciary a Beacon of Secularism
SRINAGAR, April 19: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention in halting the demolition of the revered Hazrat Saatpeer Sayed Baba Dargah in Nashik, Maharashtra, terming it a timely and vital step in preserving India’s secular and inclusive ethos.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir expressed serious concern over the developments that led to the partial demolition of the dargah, following the Bombay High Court’s failure to list the plea related to the matter. She noted that the administrative vacuum created by the judicial delay had enabled local authorities to act unilaterally, triggering unrest and confrontations in the area.
“The Supreme Court’s stay on the demolition of the Nashik Dargah is not just a legal safeguard, but a crucial reaffirmation of constitutional values at a time when secularism is under increasing strain,” Mehbooba said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). She praised the apex court’s swift action in issuing an interim stay and seeking an explanation from the Bombay High Court regarding its inaction.
Mehbooba further emphasized the cultural and spiritual significance of such shrines, asserting that they are not mere architectural structures, but sacred spaces where communities—both Hindu and Muslim—have historically gathered in a spirit of unity and shared reverence. “These dargahs are embodiments of India’s deeply rooted tradition of syncretism, inclusivity, and harmony. Sadly, these ideals are being eroded by divisive ideologies seeking to impose a narrow, exclusionary vision of the nation,” she remarked.
Highlighting the growing threat posed by communal polarization, Mehbooba stated that it is in such times that the judiciary assumes a pivotal role as the custodian of constitutional values. “With increasing attempts to silence diversity and dismantle shared cultural legacies, the Supreme Court remains perhaps the last and most powerful institution capable of defending the secular framework of our Constitution,” she added.
The PDP chief concluded by lauding the Supreme Court for upholding the principles of justice and pluralism, urging all democratic institutions and citizens to remain vigilant in safeguarding the unity and diversity that form the foundation of India’s identity.
