PATNA: The alleged grave of a Muslim Saint, Jalal Shah, in Rajgir in Bihar Sub-division of the Patna district has been declared to be [fake]. The decision has caused much agitation among the Musalmans of the locality and the places around.

The facts of the case, according to reports received here, are that certain Aryasamajists who wanted to perform Pooja on a certain piece of land are alleged to have dug at the grave of the Saint while constructing the Kund and Mandap.

A complaint was filed by a local Muslim who called himself a descendant of Jalal Shah. The Second Officer went to the spot and the complainant dug the ground near the Mandap constructed by the Aryasamajists and showed some bricks about a foot below the ground. Later the S.D.O. also visited the place and directed that the place be excavated. [When this was done,] certain brick structures and a few bones were found.

The Magistrate however, found that the case was a concocted one and that no such person as Jalal Shah existed. A communal colour to the incident was given [he said] to enlist the sympathies of a few zealous Muslims. An appeal against the decision is being filed. (Dawn, Delhi)

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2014