Ahmedabad, May 24: On Thursday, three Muslim trustees of the Imamshah Bawa Roza Sanstha Trust called upon the district collector to restore the tombs that were destroyed at the shrine in Pirana, located on the outskirts of the city. They also requested that the administration of the property be transferred from the current trust.
The trustees alleged that supporters of the trust’s ad hoc chairman, Gangaram Kaka, desecrated the holy site on May 7, damaging the 600-year-old graves of Imamshah Bawa and his family members. They claimed that Gangaram Kaka’s name has not yet been entered into the public trust register (PTR).
In their memorandum, the trustees urged the collector to remove the ad hoc chairman and assume control of the property to prevent further destruction. They argued that rather than preserving the shrine, Gangaram Kaka has been involved in its desecration.
As descendants of Imamshah Bawa, the trustees emphasized the importance of restoring the tombs to their original state. They requested to be informed about the repair schedule to perform rituals during the restoration. They also demanded police protection during this period.
The desecration of the tombs on May 8 led to rioting when the Muslim community in Pirana village discovered the destruction. The ensuing violence included stone pelting, which resulted in injuries to four individuals. Police responded by filing an FIR and making several arrests.
Imamshah Bawa has a significant following among Hindus, known as Satpanthis. The trust’s composition reflects this, with seven Hindu trustees and three Saiyed trustees, who are descendants of the saint. The Muslim trustees have long contended that Hindu trustees are attempting to convert the shrine into a Hindu temple, a claim they have taken to court. The shrine’s premises already contain a pantheon of idols, a point of contention among the trustees.
