The midnight operation launched by Hyderabad City Police and Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Board for dismantling a platform in the courtyard of the historic Mecca Masjid has caused tension in the Old City.
The incident also came as an embarrassment to the Congress government which, within hours, shifted a top Wakf Board official Syed Anwarul Huda, holding him responsible for the episode.
Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohammed Fareeduddin were unaware of the incident till they got the information on Tuesday morning.
Dr Reddy assured the State Legislative Assembly that those officials responsible for the demolition of a structure inside the mosque complex would be severely dealt with.
As soon as the day's sitting of the State Assembly commenced at 8.30 am, agitated members belonging to Majlis-e-Ittehaadul Muslimeen stalled the proceedings of the House, demanding a debate on their adjournment motion on the demolition of the chabutra inside the mosque.
Intervening, the chief minister admitted that he got to know of the incident only Tuesday morning.
"As soon as I got the information, I asked my Principal Secretary Jannath Hussain to inquire into the matter and submit a report. I am unable to understand why they (officials) did this during the night," he said and added, the officials should have followed rules and procedures.
Quoting intelligence reports, he said the purpose was to undertake some repair works in Mecca Masjid and they were planning to construct a new platform in place of the old one.
"But I do not understand why they had to do it during the night. There would not have been any problem if it was done during the day," he said.
Dr Reddy assured the House that the government would not tolerate any act, which hurt the sentiments of any community.
He also announced that the damage caused would be undone and the demolished portion would be rebuilt immediately.
The Wakf Board special officer Huda alongwith men came to the Mecca Masjid on Monday night. Armed police personnel were deployed in strength outside the mosque. Three bulldozers and a Poclain were used for demolishing the chabutra. The operation created tension in the communally-sensitive Old City.
On hearing about the incident, MIM legislators Mumtaz Ahmed Khan and Muqtada Khan rushed to the spot. A large number of protestors gathered and forced the Waqf Board and police personnel to beat a hasty retreat from the scene halfway through the demolition.
The incident rocked the State Assembly Tuesday as angry MIM members staged a noisy protest. While disallowing the adjournment motion, Speaker K R Suresh Reddy agreed that the issue was very serious and needed response from the government.
"Keeping the sentiments in view and the seriousness of the matter in view, the concerned minister has agreed to sit and sort out the matter. I will convene the meeting during the tea break," the speaker said.
Demanding urgent discussion on the issue, MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi wanted to know who had authorised the city police and Wakf Board officials to carry out the operation.
He held Hyderabad City Police Commissioner A K Mohanty responsible for the incident and alleged that he was trying to aggravate the law and order situation by taking provocative steps. He demanded the suspension of the police commissioner and the Wakf Board special officer for "the foolish act".
Four MIM legislators rushed to the podium of the speaker waving black flags and demanded that their adjournment motion be allowed. At one stage, Fareeduddin said he was also perturbed and concerned over the incident and assured that he was trying to gather the details of what exactly had happened.
The "operation demolition" came close on the heels of incidents of stone-pelting near Mecca Masjid after Friday prayers twice -- once on the issue of Danish caricatures on Prophet Mohammed and the other, during a protest against US President George Bush's visit to the city on March 3.
After the earlier incidents, the City Police commissioner discussed with Wakf Board special officer Huda, also an IPS officer, a plan to raise the height of the boundary wall of the mosque to prevent any stone pelting from inside the mosque courtyard.
A proposal was also made to demolish the chabutra and replace the stone flooring with cement flooring of the courtyard.