125-yr-old mosque near PM Modi’s residence faces demolition threat

Delhi: A more than century-old mosque on Race Course Road, near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, faces a demolition threat, with its imam alleging that authorities have ordered the premises to be vacated within six days, according to Siasat.

Imam Mohammed Harun told The Observer Post that the mosque’s electricity and water connections had been cut off, and that worshippers had stopped visiting for fear of official action. He maintained that all utility bills had been paid on time.

Registered with the Delhi Waqf Board, the mosque can accommodate around 800 worshippers. Harun said he had urged the community to approach the courts but had received no response, adding that he was prepared to pursue legal action himself.

Aam Aadmi Party leader and former MLA Amanatullah Khan said the mosque was built before India’s independence and was included in the New Delhi Municipal Council’s notified list of heritage sites.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s Delhi president, Shoaib Jamai, accused the BJP government of targeting the historic mosque.

In a post on X, he wrote: “A conspiracy to demolish another mosque in Delhi. The mosque located on Race Course Road is registered in the 1977 Gazette Notification. The BJP government’s evil eye on a 125-year-old mosque. An official arrives and leaves after threatening that the mosque will be demolished within a week. Is it a reign of thugs? Saharanpur Part 3?”

The alleged threat has raised concerns over the future of the historic place of worship, with the imam claiming that essential services have already been cut off and devotees are increasingly reluctant to visit.