Ghaziabad: Pending litigation at the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over newly constructed Ala Hazrat Haj House in Ghaziabad shattered the hopes of Haj pilgrims from western Uttar Pradesh. They could not get benefit from Haj House.
After a protest by local Congress leaders and Muslim groups, the row got political colour. They said that the local administration’s way of handling the matter is not satisfactory.
It may be noted that Al Hazrat Haj House is spread across 4.3 acres of land and it was inaugurated by Akhilesh Yadav, former Chief Minister of UP and Azam Khan, former state minority minister on 4th September 2016 whereas the petition was filed in NGT on 2nd September by the Convener of Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity, Akash Vashistha and three others.
According to The Sunday Guardian, Mr. Akash Vashistha told that their intention is to protect riverbeds and the environment. He also said that despite the litigation was filed in NGT former State Government inaugurated the facility.
He further said that the stand by the former and the present State Government is completely different. He expects that things will become clear once the State Government submits new status report to NGT during the next hearing.
Petitioner claimed that mainstream flow of Hindon river passes through the land which has been encroached for Haj House. However, State Government rejected this claim and said that the flow of the river is far from the Haj House. Now, NGT ordered both the petitioner and the State Government to submit a new status report on 24th August.
In the meanwhile, Congress leaders staged a protest with around 400 protestors which led to arrest of three party workers. During the protest, 15 men got injured.
It is also reported that Mr. Siraj, head of Congress’ State Minority Department told that they did not try to get bail for the arrested leaders immediately because he wants administration to under the problems being faced by thirsty old pilgrims who are deprived of shelter and are waiting around Haj House.
Ala Hazrat Haj House not only facing administrative and legal roadblocks but also political one. However, people feel that the representatives of different governments are the reason for the delay in addressing the issue whereas, the grandson of Ala Hazrat held politics responsible for the controversy.
He said alleged that NGT ordered inquiry but never ordered to shut it down. He added that people going to Haj are facing incontinence due to it. Last week, his political party, the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) had also threatened that if Haj House is not opened, it will sit on an indefinite strike.
The Muslim Maha Sabha (MMS) wrote a letter to Yogi Adityanath, UP CM regarding this controversy. It requested him to open the Ala Hazrat Haj house.
It is to be mentioned that Haj Houses across the country plays an important role as it is the place where pilgrims arrive a day or two before the date of their flight in order to go through health check-ups and complete administrative formalities.
The main intention behind building Ghaziabad Haj House was to ease the pressure on Haj House situated in Delhi and for the convenience of the Haj pilgrims of UP.