Telangana demolishes Masjid shortly after Ramadan prayers begin

Sangareddy: The demolition of Masjid-e-Maulana in Telangana’s Sangareddy district on Monday triggered political protests and allegations of procedural lapses, with authorities maintaining that the structure stood on government land, according to reports.

Revenue officials demolished the mosque in Sadasivpet town, stating that it had been constructed on “Inam land,” which they said is classified under government or special-category control and cannot be used for private construction. The action was carried out shortly after prayers began at the newly built structure, coinciding with the start of Ramadan.

Officials from the Revenue Department said the demolition was part of enforcement against unauthorized constructions on government land and denied any communal angle. The Congress-led state government described the matter as administrative.

Local residents and community representatives alleged that no prior notice was served before the demolition. They questioned the timing of the action, stating that prayers had commenced at the mosque earlier this week.

Mohammed Kaleem, who claims ownership of Survey No. 165 where the mosque was built, said he purchased the land two years ago from a Hyderabad-based seller and had been in possession since then. He said a borewell had been installed earlier without objection from the authorities.

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the demolition, asking why authorities did not intervene earlier if the land status was disputed. AIMIM and the Majlis Bachao Tehreek demanded action against local revenue officials and reconstruction of the mosque.

The incident comes days after reported vandalism at a mosque in Jalalpur village of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district on February 15, which is under police investigation.

Human rights groups and community leaders have called for transparency regarding the land classification and due process in enforcement actions.