After Sambhal, Varanasi, and Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, a temple that was reportedly closed for many decades was reopened in Gujarat’s Dwarka. In the Khambalia area of Dwarka district a Santoshi Mata Temple closed for nearly 50 years as accused Hanif, Suleman, Ghafar, Abbas and Omar allegedly blocked the road leading to the Hindu temple.
Upon receiving information, Dwarka Police registered an FIR under relevant sections. On the directions of District Police Chief Nitesh Pandey the illegal encroachment was cleared on 18th December. After demolishing the encroachment, the Hindu community was allowed to conduct Pooja rituals in the temple.
#GUJARAT: In Khambalia, Dwarka, access to the 50-yr-old Santoshi Mata Hindu temple was blocked by Mohammad Hanif, Suleman, Gafar, Abbas, & Umar, who encroached on government land & built a wall to block the route.
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) December 18, 2024
Following a complaint by the temple priest, swift police action… pic.twitter.com/p6Uj1BMcrp
The police action came in response to the complaint filed by the priest’s family at Khambalia police station. The police conducted a thorough investigation and found that the accused Muslim persons had conspired to encroach on the exposed government land by forging fake documents. The police are reported to have arrested three of the five accused as the rest have reportedly died.
50-year-old Santoshi Mata temple in Khambalia, Dwarka, was blocked by Hanif Suleman, Gafar and Umar. Police took Swift action an FIR was filed, and the encroachment cleared! pic.twitter.com/bPXGlpTrOG
— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) December 18, 2024
Taking to X, Gujarat state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi informed about the action taken in the matter and said, “50-year-old Santoshi Mata temple in Khambalia, Dwarka, was blocked by Hanif Suleman, Gafar and Umar. Police took Swift action an FIR was filed, and the encroachment cleared!”
