Hyderabad's Muslim Community Struggles to Find Burial Space Amid Land Encroachments

What is causing the shortage of burial space for Muslims in Hyderabad? A: The shortage of burial space for Muslims in Hyderabad is primarily caused by the rising real estate values and illegal encroachments on graveyards. This has led to several graveyards being declared full and under the control of land grabbers. Q: How much can a burial cost in Hyderabad's Muslim graveyards? A: Burials in Hyderabad's Muslim graveyards can cost anywhere from Rs 10,000 to Rs one lakh, depending on the spiritual value attached to the graveyard. Caretakers are also selling old grave spaces for up to Rs 30,000. Q: What has the government been asked to do to address this issue? A: Activists have requested the state government to conduct a survey of Muslim graveyards in the city and remove all illegal encroachments. They have also demanded that graveyard caretakers fix nominal charges for burial spaces, while those charging exorbitant amounts should face criminal charges. Q: How has urbanisation affected Muslim graveyards in upmarket areas like Puppalguda? A: Urbanisation has led to the vanishing of graveyards in upmarket areas like Puppalguda. For example, a graveyard that was over nine acres in 1984 has now shrunk to just 100 sq yards due to encroachments with active political backing. Q: What allegations have been made against the Wakf Board? A: The Wakf Board has been accused of collusion with land grabbers. The graveyard committee of Dargah Syed Ali Kulle Shah Darvesh at Petbasheerabad alleged that the remaining graveyard land fell into the hands of land sharks with the active connivance of a Wakf inspector and its CEO in 2020.

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