A Holy Fraud Exposed
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:24 am
Udaipur's 'Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat' played a Fraud in a frustrated attempt to usurp local Bohra properties
It is established through RTI Act that Udaipur Municipal Council's certificate in the possession of the Shia DB Jamat seems to be Unauthorised
As far as Dawoodi Bohra Community is concerned, Udaipur city is unique. Unlike other places, at Udaipur the Kothar's blind followers had to form a separate organization by the name of 'Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamaa't (i.e. the Equivalent of Anjumane Burhani or such other names at other places). The reformists had retained and registered in the original name of 'Dawoodi Bohra Jama't' the organizations of Reformist Bohras. In other words it is expulsion in reverse.
It may be recalled that in the aftermath of a mass revolt against repressive and exploitative policies of religious establishment in the years 1970-73, the management and control of most of community's properties had been in the hands of the reformists. Therefore, ever since 1973 the Bohra religious establishment has lost sleep and has been making various frustrated efforts to some how usurp these properties. For this the reformists are being harassed and assaulted at regular intervals. At the same time Court cases have also been filed making false claims in addition to the use of influence and wealth power. However, the reformists continue to hold ground.
Having failed in all these efforts they resorted to a new fraud to keep their blind followers in good humour. Briefly the story runs as follows:-
In the year 2000, the Udaipur's Kothar Jama't, re-named 'Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamaa't' as mentioned above claimed that it had got a sealed and signed certificate of ownership from Udaipur Municipal Council clearly listing all of Bohra Community's properties located at Udaipur. This certificate is in Hindi and given the appropriate name of 'PRAMAAN PATRA'. It bears. No: 99-2000/6070 and is dated: 3/03/2000. We have obtained a copy of this 'PRAMAAN PATRA'.
This so called certificate includes almost all the Bohra properties at Udaipur namely:
1) Masjids-Moiyadpura mosque, Rasoolpura mosque, Khanpura mosque, Vajihpura mosque and Khanji peer mosque. [The fact is that all these mosques are rgistered as wakf properties.]
Mausoleum of Syedi Lukmanji Saheb, land and three houses, 2) Resthouse, musafarkhana (Wangihpura), Saifee Maternity home and dispensary (Kutubpura), Rest house (in the vicinity of Syedi Khanji Peer Saheb), Saifee Baugh and the plot (near Syedi Khanji Peer Saheb's mausoleum), Dawood Baugh (near Syedi Khanji Peer Saheb's mausoleum), old darul-emarat (near Moiyadpura mosque), Boharwadi Jamatkhana. 5) 5 shops between Saifee maternity home and Rasoolpua mosque. [These are also registered wakf properties.]
School in Ebrahimpura. [This school was constructed by progressive Bohra Jamaat and is being run and administered by them ever since. It is Public School for the benefit of all communities.]
1) 3 shops in Rassa hall, 2) 1 shop in Bada Bazar, 3) 2 shops in Gujri hall, 4) 3 shops in vicinity of Khanji peer 6) 1 shop towards Ramji ki Badi 7) 1 shop in New Bohra Bazar, Hathipole 8 ) 3 shops underneath Khanpur Darwaza, 9) 8 shops and a godown in Basti Ramji ki Badi, 10) 1 shop in Kutubpura, 11) 1 house near Khanpur darwaza, 12) 1 house in Moiyadpura, 13) 10 houses in Syedi Khanji Peer Saheb's vicinity, 14) 2 shop in Madresa Tayyebia. [The fact remains that other than the last two shops the rest are with the reformists Jamaat and they are managing them.]
The so called 'Paramaan Patra' mentions that the properties stated above are more than 100 years old.
Details of new properties are as under:
1) New Darul-emarat (behind Ashwani Bazar), 2) Open land (Shiksha Bavan), 3) Masjid Hall (Mullatalai), 4) 1 house in Vajihpura, Burhani Hall at Hathipole. [These properties were purchased by the Kothhar Jamaat after the mass revolt in Udaipur.]
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After obtaining this "Certificate" a sort of Fateh Mubeen was celebrated by the Kothar's blind followers. The Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat claiming that they have got permissions from the same Municipal Council and local administration started demolition of old buildings and carried out construction of new ones in their place.
The reformists when confronted with these new developments raised objections with all concerned authorities but no ear were given to their objections for obvious reasons. The main objections were both legal and moral.
The facts are that whereas properties such as mosques, musafirkhana, schools, qabristan, mazars etc are duly registered with The Board of Muslim Wakfs Rajasthan with the management and control of many of them with the reformists, there were many non-wakfs shops and buildings over which the reformists have managerial control.
Moreover, no demolition, construction or renovation could be carried out without the express permission of the Wakf Board in respect of the Wakf properties. Thus authority of the Wakf Board has been totally violated by Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat headed by Syedna Saheb.
The Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat came into existence only after the Kothar group walked out from the original Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat. How could they have ownership of properties which by their own admission are more than hundred years old?
It is thus surprising that the Municipal Council issued ownership certificate without following normal procedures and 1) verifying the ownership documents and 2) without issuing public notice for the objections.
As mentioned above no agency bothered to take cognizance of the objections raised by the reformist jamaat. While the governmental authorities were turning blind eyes, persuasions and requests to the Kothar's blind followers also did not yield any result. They felt emboldened with their new discovery and a sort of strategic victory to browbeat the reformists with. But as usual it proved to be a premature conclusion on their part. The reformists were not so easily be fooled. This will be evident from the next two actions of the reformists.
Exposure of Double Standard
Faced with this scenario the reformists took recourse to the law courts when the loyal followers resorted to hooliganism. When the goings in the courts were found not favourable, the blind followers immediately surrendered their assumed ownership rights and filed application in the courts stating that the disputed properties were in fact WAKF PROPERTIES and the local courts have no jurisdiction over disputes in respect of such properties. As a result of this acceptance of double standard. The reformists have since taken the matter with the Wakf Tribunal at Jaipur. The stand of the Kothar's blind followers now will be worth watching.
Expose under RTI Act
From 2000 to 2010 when for years the local Municipal Council did not give any reply, the reformists took the matter up under the "Right To Information Act" (RTI) and sought clarifications. The Municipal Council has now, after much dilly dallying of course, clarified that the so called 'Parmana Patra' seems to be UNAUTHORISED. It has been further mentioned that 'further action is being taken in this respect'. The reformists have decided to take the issues to their logical conclusion by following legal course. Bohra Chronicle has a copy of this clarification also. The whole exercise of obtaining the 'Paramaan Patra' is illegal and remedies will be sought.
Damage done to the Community
It may be mentioned here that great damage has occurred to the interest of the entire Bohra community. Space constraint put limit to its elaboration. A separate article will be published highlighting the damage in coming issues which the Bohra Community has suffered due to their blind faith even in matters which are purely secular.
The question is this how and who issued this fake Certificate to the Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat? There seems to be two possibilities. Either some corrupt elements in Municipal Council have been bribed to do this work or some one from the Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat had stolen the stationary and stamps from the office of the Council and had prepared this fake Certificate."
Looking at the track record of the Kothar's blind followers, there is every reason to believe in the second possibility. In the year 1985 some blind follower had stolen the genuine government stationary and postage stamps and had sent a cyclostyled press release purportedly from the CBI involving Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer in to sensational Lata murder case. The CBI had later issued an official statement that the CBI's letter-heads, envelopes and government stationary and government's stamps were stolen and this fake press release was prepared.
Great relief for reformists
As far as reformist Dawoodi Bohras of Udaipur have got great relief from the exposure of Fraud played by Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat. In order to assert their control on the properties under the control of the reformists, every year especially on the holy occasions of Ramadan and Mohrram some elements of Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat under instruction of their Amil used to put obstacles in the functioning of the Reformists, which were resulting into bloody clashes. Because of this exposure now the mischief-maker Amil and his blind followers are silent and cooperative as also the local administration is vigilant. With the result that since last two years Udaipur is peaceful.
An Earnest Appeal
From the above report it may be seen that the local jamaa'ts and few enthusiasts are indulging in many an illegal and unlawful acts - may be in an effort of one-up-manship - which in the course of time may bring bad name and disrepute to the Dawat itself. The aim of this news item is solely to bring this aspect to the notice of right thinking mumineen to be vigilant and urge upon Kothar not to put our Dai and the Dawat in an embarrassing position. The Udaipur reformist jamaat has to resort to legal actions only after repeated attempts of persuasions and requests to the local blind followers of Kothar to desist from unnecessary arm twisting and frequent instigations. Submission through suppression has always been a lost game.
We earnestly request those interested in the well being of the mumineen to join hands with the reformists in their attempt to make the establishment responsive and bring unity in the community.
It is established through RTI Act that Udaipur Municipal Council's certificate in the possession of the Shia DB Jamat seems to be Unauthorised
As far as Dawoodi Bohra Community is concerned, Udaipur city is unique. Unlike other places, at Udaipur the Kothar's blind followers had to form a separate organization by the name of 'Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamaa't (i.e. the Equivalent of Anjumane Burhani or such other names at other places). The reformists had retained and registered in the original name of 'Dawoodi Bohra Jama't' the organizations of Reformist Bohras. In other words it is expulsion in reverse.
It may be recalled that in the aftermath of a mass revolt against repressive and exploitative policies of religious establishment in the years 1970-73, the management and control of most of community's properties had been in the hands of the reformists. Therefore, ever since 1973 the Bohra religious establishment has lost sleep and has been making various frustrated efforts to some how usurp these properties. For this the reformists are being harassed and assaulted at regular intervals. At the same time Court cases have also been filed making false claims in addition to the use of influence and wealth power. However, the reformists continue to hold ground.
Having failed in all these efforts they resorted to a new fraud to keep their blind followers in good humour. Briefly the story runs as follows:-
In the year 2000, the Udaipur's Kothar Jama't, re-named 'Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamaa't' as mentioned above claimed that it had got a sealed and signed certificate of ownership from Udaipur Municipal Council clearly listing all of Bohra Community's properties located at Udaipur. This certificate is in Hindi and given the appropriate name of 'PRAMAAN PATRA'. It bears. No: 99-2000/6070 and is dated: 3/03/2000. We have obtained a copy of this 'PRAMAAN PATRA'.
This so called certificate includes almost all the Bohra properties at Udaipur namely:
1) Masjids-Moiyadpura mosque, Rasoolpura mosque, Khanpura mosque, Vajihpura mosque and Khanji peer mosque. [The fact is that all these mosques are rgistered as wakf properties.]
Mausoleum of Syedi Lukmanji Saheb, land and three houses, 2) Resthouse, musafarkhana (Wangihpura), Saifee Maternity home and dispensary (Kutubpura), Rest house (in the vicinity of Syedi Khanji Peer Saheb), Saifee Baugh and the plot (near Syedi Khanji Peer Saheb's mausoleum), Dawood Baugh (near Syedi Khanji Peer Saheb's mausoleum), old darul-emarat (near Moiyadpura mosque), Boharwadi Jamatkhana. 5) 5 shops between Saifee maternity home and Rasoolpua mosque. [These are also registered wakf properties.]
School in Ebrahimpura. [This school was constructed by progressive Bohra Jamaat and is being run and administered by them ever since. It is Public School for the benefit of all communities.]
1) 3 shops in Rassa hall, 2) 1 shop in Bada Bazar, 3) 2 shops in Gujri hall, 4) 3 shops in vicinity of Khanji peer 6) 1 shop towards Ramji ki Badi 7) 1 shop in New Bohra Bazar, Hathipole 8 ) 3 shops underneath Khanpur Darwaza, 9) 8 shops and a godown in Basti Ramji ki Badi, 10) 1 shop in Kutubpura, 11) 1 house near Khanpur darwaza, 12) 1 house in Moiyadpura, 13) 10 houses in Syedi Khanji Peer Saheb's vicinity, 14) 2 shop in Madresa Tayyebia. [The fact remains that other than the last two shops the rest are with the reformists Jamaat and they are managing them.]
The so called 'Paramaan Patra' mentions that the properties stated above are more than 100 years old.
Details of new properties are as under:
1) New Darul-emarat (behind Ashwani Bazar), 2) Open land (Shiksha Bavan), 3) Masjid Hall (Mullatalai), 4) 1 house in Vajihpura, Burhani Hall at Hathipole. [These properties were purchased by the Kothhar Jamaat after the mass revolt in Udaipur.]
----------------------------------
After obtaining this "Certificate" a sort of Fateh Mubeen was celebrated by the Kothar's blind followers. The Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat claiming that they have got permissions from the same Municipal Council and local administration started demolition of old buildings and carried out construction of new ones in their place.
The reformists when confronted with these new developments raised objections with all concerned authorities but no ear were given to their objections for obvious reasons. The main objections were both legal and moral.
The facts are that whereas properties such as mosques, musafirkhana, schools, qabristan, mazars etc are duly registered with The Board of Muslim Wakfs Rajasthan with the management and control of many of them with the reformists, there were many non-wakfs shops and buildings over which the reformists have managerial control.
Moreover, no demolition, construction or renovation could be carried out without the express permission of the Wakf Board in respect of the Wakf properties. Thus authority of the Wakf Board has been totally violated by Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat headed by Syedna Saheb.
The Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat came into existence only after the Kothar group walked out from the original Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat. How could they have ownership of properties which by their own admission are more than hundred years old?
It is thus surprising that the Municipal Council issued ownership certificate without following normal procedures and 1) verifying the ownership documents and 2) without issuing public notice for the objections.
As mentioned above no agency bothered to take cognizance of the objections raised by the reformist jamaat. While the governmental authorities were turning blind eyes, persuasions and requests to the Kothar's blind followers also did not yield any result. They felt emboldened with their new discovery and a sort of strategic victory to browbeat the reformists with. But as usual it proved to be a premature conclusion on their part. The reformists were not so easily be fooled. This will be evident from the next two actions of the reformists.
Exposure of Double Standard
Faced with this scenario the reformists took recourse to the law courts when the loyal followers resorted to hooliganism. When the goings in the courts were found not favourable, the blind followers immediately surrendered their assumed ownership rights and filed application in the courts stating that the disputed properties were in fact WAKF PROPERTIES and the local courts have no jurisdiction over disputes in respect of such properties. As a result of this acceptance of double standard. The reformists have since taken the matter with the Wakf Tribunal at Jaipur. The stand of the Kothar's blind followers now will be worth watching.
Expose under RTI Act
From 2000 to 2010 when for years the local Municipal Council did not give any reply, the reformists took the matter up under the "Right To Information Act" (RTI) and sought clarifications. The Municipal Council has now, after much dilly dallying of course, clarified that the so called 'Parmana Patra' seems to be UNAUTHORISED. It has been further mentioned that 'further action is being taken in this respect'. The reformists have decided to take the issues to their logical conclusion by following legal course. Bohra Chronicle has a copy of this clarification also. The whole exercise of obtaining the 'Paramaan Patra' is illegal and remedies will be sought.
Damage done to the Community
It may be mentioned here that great damage has occurred to the interest of the entire Bohra community. Space constraint put limit to its elaboration. A separate article will be published highlighting the damage in coming issues which the Bohra Community has suffered due to their blind faith even in matters which are purely secular.
The question is this how and who issued this fake Certificate to the Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat? There seems to be two possibilities. Either some corrupt elements in Municipal Council have been bribed to do this work or some one from the Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat had stolen the stationary and stamps from the office of the Council and had prepared this fake Certificate."
Looking at the track record of the Kothar's blind followers, there is every reason to believe in the second possibility. In the year 1985 some blind follower had stolen the genuine government stationary and postage stamps and had sent a cyclostyled press release purportedly from the CBI involving Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer in to sensational Lata murder case. The CBI had later issued an official statement that the CBI's letter-heads, envelopes and government stationary and government's stamps were stolen and this fake press release was prepared.
Great relief for reformists
As far as reformist Dawoodi Bohras of Udaipur have got great relief from the exposure of Fraud played by Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamat. In order to assert their control on the properties under the control of the reformists, every year especially on the holy occasions of Ramadan and Mohrram some elements of Shia Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat under instruction of their Amil used to put obstacles in the functioning of the Reformists, which were resulting into bloody clashes. Because of this exposure now the mischief-maker Amil and his blind followers are silent and cooperative as also the local administration is vigilant. With the result that since last two years Udaipur is peaceful.
An Earnest Appeal
From the above report it may be seen that the local jamaa'ts and few enthusiasts are indulging in many an illegal and unlawful acts - may be in an effort of one-up-manship - which in the course of time may bring bad name and disrepute to the Dawat itself. The aim of this news item is solely to bring this aspect to the notice of right thinking mumineen to be vigilant and urge upon Kothar not to put our Dai and the Dawat in an embarrassing position. The Udaipur reformist jamaat has to resort to legal actions only after repeated attempts of persuasions and requests to the local blind followers of Kothar to desist from unnecessary arm twisting and frequent instigations. Submission through suppression has always been a lost game.
We earnestly request those interested in the well being of the mumineen to join hands with the reformists in their attempt to make the establishment responsive and bring unity in the community.