New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea to hold the "Urs" festival from February 1 to February 3 at a dargah (Muslim shrine) in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, which was demolished as part of a government drive to remove unauthorized constructions.

The bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih, heard submissions from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Gujarat authorities. Mehta argued that the demolition was part of a broader effort to clear encroachments on government land, including unauthorized religious structures, and that no activities-religious or otherwise-were permitted on such land.

The applicant's counsel contended that the Urs festival had been held at the site ...