In a contentious legal battle, the Faizyab Mosque near Sarai Kale Khan in New Delhi faces imminent demolition following a Delhi High Court decision on June 12, 2024. The court has granted a one-month ultimatum to Deen Mohammed, the mosque's caretaker, to vacate the premises. This ruling comes amidst claims by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) asserting governmental ownership of the land, countered by Mohammed who cites decades-long residency of his family and possession of legal documents supporting their claim. The mosque, managed under the Waqf Board since 1989, survived redevelopment efforts in 2006 and 2010, raising questions about the sudden push for demolition by the DDA.
Deen Mohammed alleges procedural impropriety, pointing out that the decision for demolition was made in an April 2, 2024 meeting of Delhi's religious committee where no representative from the mosque was present. Feeling let down by local authorities and the Waqf Board, Mohammed now sees the judiciary as his sole refuge in this battle for the mosque's survival.
There has been an ongoing trend of unchecked demolitions by DDA, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and other central agencies across Delhi. These actions, often justified under redevelopment and land acquisition pretexts, beg the question whether development agendas are outweighing considerations of communal harmony and historical preservation in India's capital.
The Faizyab Mosque thus stands as a poignant symbol in a broader narrative of urban development versus cultural preservation.
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