Lone slams ‘obsession with finding hidden temples’, Mehbooba blames ex-CJI for attacking religious minorities | India News – Times of India

SRINAGAR: The Sambhal Mosque and Ajmer Dargah controversies on Thursday evoked sharp reactions from J&K’s political leaders, with PDP president Mehbooba Mufti warning that such an attack on religious places of minorities could lead to more bloodshed, and it head of the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Conference, Sajad Lone denounces the ‘obsession with inventing hidden temples’.
Referring to the recent violence in UP’s Sambhal during a court-ordered inquiry into the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid there, Mehbooba blamed the former CJI DY Chandrachudwithout naming him, saying it was a direct result of a 2023 ruling by a Supreme Court bench led by him.
“Thanks to a former Chief Justice of India, a Pandora’s box has been opened, sparking a controversial debate on religious minorities. Despite a Supreme Court ruling that the status quo should be maintained as it existed in 1947, his judgment has paved the way for investigations into these sites, potentially leading to increased tensions between Hindus and Muslims (sic.),” she said in a post on X.
The former J&K chief minister was apparently referring to the SC order that allowed a scientific examination of the Gyanvapi Mosque to determine whether it was built on a pre-existing temple.
“First mosques and now Muslim shrines like Ajmer Sharif are being targeted, which could lead to more bloodshed. The question remains: who will take responsibility for perpetuating this communal violence reminiscent of the days of separation? she added.
Lone described the complaint filed “in pursuit of a temple allegedly hidden somewhere in the Ajmer Dargah Sharif” as “another shocker”. While other countries were focusing on the technological revolution, India was on the path of regression, he said, taking a swipe at misplaced priorities.
In a lengthy post on We have not contributed to any technological revolution. Yes, we have the means to take advantage of them by purchasing them. But scientific innovation. No. Not even remotely.”
“Our desire for invention stems entirely from our obsession with inventing hidden temples. And make no mistake: a statistically significant portion of the population welcomes it. And yes, the more educated, the more temple seekers they are. The educated people who should have been at the forefront of ushering in India’s technology revolution are busy mythologizing,” he further said.
Lone compared India to Dubai, praising the latter’s “evolution” into “an oasis of tolerance and mutual respect”, and lamenting “the way we have gone backwards”. “This country once defined by its sense of soul is now tragically soulless and in search of a soul,” he said.