Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of showing blatant disregard for the sentiments of the Muslim community in connection with the proposed eviction of a century-old mosque in Delhi.
"Visiting mosques in Muslim countries, praising their grandeur and projecting respect for Islamic sentiments and heritage. Yet at home, a 120-year-old heritage mosque near the Prime Minister’s residence faces an eviction notice threatening its very existence," Mehbooba Mufti posted on X.
"This glaring contradiction between admiration for mosques abroad and blatant disregard for the religious sentiments of India’s own Muslim community is mind-boggling, to say the least," he added. Mufti shared a series of photographs showing the PM visiting mosques abroad.
Visiting mosques in Muslim countries, praising their grandeur and projecting respect for Islamic sentiments and heritage. Yet at home, a 120 year old heritage mosque near the Prime Minister’s residence faces an eviction notice threatening its very existence. This glaring contradiction between admiration for mosques abroad and blatant disregard for the religious sentiments of India’s own Muslim community is mind boggling, to say the least.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Monday issued an eviction notice to the Race Course Mosque, which is near the PM's official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
According to officials cited by PTI, the mosque management was given six days to vacate the premises. The notice claims that the land belongs to the Land and Development Office (LDO) under the Union government.
The PTI report said the NDMC disconnected the mosque's water and electricity supplies on October 7. The LDO claims that the structure stands on government land, and considers it an encroachment. There's a demolition drive underway in the Race Course Road area and about 700 families are likely to be displaced.
According to an NDMC notification that is publicly available, the Race Course Mosque is one of the 147 heritage properties under its jurisdiction. The notification was publicized on June 8, 2005, says an NDMC document.
'The Mosque and Campus' at Race Course is listed as item No. 22 under Grade-II of heritage buildings (see image below). There are 70 building and monuments listed under Grade-II, which includes Connaught Place.
Grade-I features heritage buildings and precincts, including India Gate and the old Parliament House.
The NDMC's Heritage Conservation Committee says a Grade-II building or precinct "comprises of building etc. of regional or local importance possessing special architectural or aesthetic merit or historical significance".
According to the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the mosque was also listed under serial No. 18 in the Delhi Gazette of 1977. A delegation of the Jamiat submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, seeking protection of the mosque.