Mosque demolition rumour triggers tension in Kathputli
NEW DELHI: Tension prevailed in west Delhi’s Kathputli Colony on Tuesday over alleged rumours that the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) was going to demolish an old mosque in the area. Over 50 Muslim men gathered at an old mosque to guard it, fearing its demolition.
The authority officials, however, said no demolition order had been issued.
The Imam of the mosque, Abdul Rahim, said locals spent a sleepless night in the mosque complex, anticipating bulldozers any time.
Rahim said DDA officials had informed him on Monday that the mosque was going to be demolished. “The DDA officials asked me to clear away things from the mosque, so that it could be demolished on Tuesday morning. I was shocked. How can anyone do this? This mosque is very old. Over a thousand persons come here daily from Baljit Nagar, Pandav Nagar and New Patel Nagar to read namaz,” said the Imam.
The three-floor mosque, known as ‘Badi Masjid’, came up in 1976. A madrasa and a dargah are located outside the mosque in the same complex.
More than 250 Muslim children attend the madrasa every day, said members of the mosque committee.
Locals said a temple, located a few metres from the mosque, was demolished last week. Most of them now fear that the mosque may be demolished as well.
The DDA’S principal commissioner (housing), JP Agarwal, denied the allegations. He said no demolition order had been issued till now about the mosque.
“Taking into account the religious sentiments attached with the mosque and the sensitivity of the matter, no demolition order has been given till now regarding the mosque,” said Agarwal.
Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan visited the colony on Tuesday afternoon and met members of the mosque committee.
Agarwal confirmed that Khan, along with few committee members, met him on Tuesday even- ing. “I informed them that no such demolition order was given. They said the mosque falls in Pandav Nagar, and isn’t exactly in Kathputli Colony. This will be verified. If the mosque falls in Kathputli, the overall issue will be examined, authorities concerned will be consulted and necessary action will be taken based on the orders of the Lieutenant Governor,” said Agarwal.
DCP (central) Mandeep Singh Randhawa said police were deployed after a rumour about the plan to demolish the mosque spread in the neighbourhood.
“We deployed police as precautionary measure. Okhla MLA Amantullah Khan came and met the locals. The matter has been resolved,” said Randhawa.