Jaisalmer, June 20: How does a community produce paperwork for a shrine that has existed for nearly 250 years? That question lies at the heart of a growing controversy in Rajasthan’s border district of Jaisalmer, where an administrative notice seeking land ownership documents for the historic Mehmood Shah Peer Jilani shrine has sparked protests and a wider debate over faith, heritage and governance.

The notice, issued under the administration’s ongoing “Operation Clean” drive against alleged illegal constructions within a 50-km radius of the India-Pakistan border, directs the shrine management to submit land-related documents by June 22, failing which action could begin after June 23 under the Rajasthan Colonisation Act.

For officials, the move is part of a routine verification exercise in a sensitive border zone.

For local residents, however, it raises a larger question: should centuries-old religious sites be judged solely by modern documentation standards?

Villagers argue that expecting documentary proof for structures established hundreds of years ago ignores the historical realities of western Rajasthan, where many shrines, temples and community spaces predate formal land-record systems.

Congress District President Amardin Fakir said the issue extends beyond a single shrine.

“Earlier, restrictions were limited to a 10-kilometre belt along the border. Later, they were extended to 15 kilometres and now effectively impact areas up to nearly 50 kilometres. A large portion of Jaisalmer’s population falls within this zone,” he said.

Fakir added that residents fear future action could extend beyond religious sites.

“Many religious places here are centuries old. At the time they were established, maintaining formal records was not a priority. It is unfair to interfere with matters of faith merely because documents are unavailable today,” he said.

Former Ramgarh Sarpanch Govind Bhargava recalled that when the Army was constructing infrastructure in the border region around 1980, villagers informed officials about the shrine’s significance.

“After inspecting the site, the construction was shifted elsewhere. Even then, the shrine’s importance was respected,” he claimed.

According to Jumma Khan, President of the Shrine Committee, the site holds deep significance for both Hindu and Muslim devotees and hosts two major annual fairs.

“Thousands of people visit every year. The shrine has been maintained through public faith and community support for generations. Obtaining ownership documents for a 250-year-old shrine is not easy,” he said.

Officials maintain that notices are being issued in accordance with legal provisions and that affected parties have been given an opportunity to present their case.

Yet, as the deadline approaches, the dispute has evolved into a broader debate over how heritage, faith and administrative regulations can coexist in India’s borderlands.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said: “Given the region’s history of coexistence and mutual respect, both the Central and state governments should exercise caution and ensure that administrative decisions do not give rise to avoidable controversy or undermine the social fabric that has long distinguished these border districts.”

Passengers were left stranded for the second day due to the BEST bus strike in Mumbai. Due to the public transport strike, private vehicles, autorickshaws and taxis have become silver. Complaints have also been received from passengers about double fare being charged. Meanwhile, the BEST administration has claimed in a press release that comprehensive measures are being taken by the administration to ensure passenger services. The administration is keeping an eye on the strike called by the BEST Kamgar Karti Samiti amidst the strike and has taken all necessary steps to ensure that passengers do not face any kind of inconvenience. On June 20, notices under MEMSA (Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act) were served to the employees participating in the strike, and notices under MEMSA have also been sent. Along with this, the porters have also been contacted. Considering the situation that has arisen, the Maharashtra State Road Transport has been directed to arrange 100 additional buses so that the passengers do not face any kind of trouble. Additionally,
63 examination centres of NEET exam will ensure best service to students so that they do not face any inconvenience.

60 additional buses have been arranged in Mumbai from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and orders have been given to depot managers in this regard.

The power supply department is not affected by the strike. The undertaking, and its essential power services are functioning smoothly. Providing uninterrupted, safe and reliable service to the passengers is the top priority, and all possible measures are being implemented accordingly. Mumbai is in a state of chaos due to the strike. There are no buses on the roads.

Noida, June 20: Ahead of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) re-test on June 21 (Sunday), the Gautam Buddha Nagar administration has stepped up last-minute preparations to ensure a fair, secure and hassle-free examination for thousands of students. Adequate arrangements have been put in place with heightened surveillance via CCTVs and increased police vigil around the NEET examination centres.

A group of administrative as well as police teams are inspecting the exam centres and finalising security measures to ensure that candidates do not face any inconvenience.

Joint Police Commissioner Rajiv Narayan Mishra, speaking to newsmen, said that the NEET exams will be conducted at 23 centres across the district. They include five centres in the Noida Zone, 11 in the Central Noida Zone, and seven in the Greater Noida Zone.

Sharing information about extensive arrangements, he said that adequate police personnel will be deployed at all centres, along with senior officers, to continuously monitor the exam process.

He mentioned that screening of candidates for entering the exam venue is mandatory and every candidate will have to undergo a thorough checking and frisking.

Additionally, Police Response Vehicle (PRV) teams will be stationed near the exam centres to enable immediate action in case of any emergency.

Officers of ACP, ADCP, and DCP ranks will be present at the exam centres within their respective zones. All officers have been instructed to conduct continuous patrols and keep a close watch on security arrangements throughout the duration of the exam.

“The Gautam Buddha Nagar Commissionerate states that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the examination is conducted in a completely peaceful, transparent, and orderly manner,” it said in a statement.

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has also been invoked around the exam centres, which prohibits the assembly of crowd within 200-meter radius of the exam centres.

The Commissionerate Police has also set up special help desks at major Metro stations and bus stands. Through these help desks, students and their parents will be provided with assistance regarding examination centres, traffic-related information, and other necessary support.