Rafi, Naushad's resting place could be dug due to space crunch

This is due to the space constraints faced by the Muslim Majlis, the trust which manages the Muslim Kabrastan (Burial ground) in the Santacruz-Juhu area of suburban Mumbai.
Several film industry icons including Madhubala, Parveen Babi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Talat Mehmood, Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, Ifteqar, Naushad, Mohammed Rafi have been laid to rest here.

Asgar Ali, President of the Muslim Majlis said that the burial ground spread over one acre of land on Juhu Road in Santacruz (West) can accommodate only 500 graves.
"The problem of space constraint comes every two years and since the last eight years, it has become more severe. We are helpless," Ali said adding that the Trust has been requesting the Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC) and the Suburban collector since last few years to allot a reserved plot to it in Juhu Koliwada area nearby.
Thespian Dilip Kumar and his actress wife Saira Banu too have written letters to concerned authorities but in vain, he said.

"A portion of the Juhu Koliwada plot has been alloted for Christian burial ground two years ago and another portion for a Hindu crematorium. Why are we neglected," he asked.Ali said after nearly a decade, BMC has replied that the remaining plot in the area is not meant for a burial ground.

"Now slums are coming up in that plot. If it can be given to Christians and Hindus why not us. Atleast they can give us some portion from the plot given to Christians and Hindus," he said.

Ali said the Muslim Burial ground is the only cemetery in the Bandra(W)-Santacruz(W) area where the population of Muslims is over seven lakh.

"Naseem Bano, Saira Bano's mother was buried in the grave of her mother. While Majrooh Sultanpuri was buried in his mother's grave. Sahir Ludhianvi's sister was buried in the legendary lyricist's grave. Madhu Bala and Parveen Babi's graves were also dug up to accomodate new bodies," he said.

"We resisted from digging their (Rafi, Naushad) graves for so many years. In 1995, there were five bodies brought here for burial every month. Now, with 20 bodies every month, we are forced to dig up the graves of these much loved icons of the hindi cinema," Ali said.

Ali also said that they had a copy of the 1982 order of the Charity commissioner that old graves should be dug up to bury new bodies if there is lack of space.
Over the years, luminaries like Talat Mehmood, Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, Ali Sardar Jafri, Ifteqar have been laid to rest in this burial ground.
The latest film personality to be buried here is filmmaker Tahir Hussain, father of Aamir Khan.Ali suggested that if the graves of film luminaries have to be maintained permanently, the government should declare them as heritage monuments and give them alternate land.Binoo Nair, Founder of Rafi Foundation, umbrella organisation of Mohammed Rafi, said that he was taking up the matter with the state Culture department and Mumbai Heritage conservation committee to declare Naushad's and Rafi's graves as national heritage monuments.

"They are icons who were loved by all. We will also approach local MP Priya Dutt to take steps to ensure that the Muslim Majlis gets the additional land. Chief Minister Ashok Chavan should address this issue urgently. Many admirers of two icons visit their graves to offer tributes on their birth and death anniversaries," he said.

Rafi Foundation has collected 4000 songs of the legendary singer to be preserved in the Rafi Music library.

"We have sought a space from the government to run this library in the Andheri-Bandra area," he said.