DDA demolishes mosque in Mehrauli, cites drive against encroachments
The Hindu
The Delhi Development Authority demolishes a 500-year-old mosque in New Delhi as part of their anti-encroachment drive.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Tuesday carried out an “unannounced” demolition of a mosque in Mehrauli believed to have been constructed over 500 years ago, with officials citing the action as part of the agency’s drive against encroachments.
Mosque cleric Md. Zakir Hussain alleged that the authorities did not serve prior notice and that they were told to vacate the mosque as early as 5.30 a.m. by a group of officials.
A madrasa was also being run from the mosque premises, where 15 of the 22 students of the theological school were staying.
Seminary tutor Md. Javed alleged, “They snatched our phones and asked us to step aside without even letting us pick up any of our belongings.”
He also alleged that they were not even allowed to collect the children’s books or the little money they had saved for them. The children were shifted to a nearby madrasa, he said.
Commenting on the action, a senior DDA official said the demolition was carried out following the Ridge Management Board’s decision to remove all kinds of encroachment around Sanjay Van, a reserved forest in the southern part of the Ridge, an extension of the Aravali forest range in the national capital.
The Akhundji Mosque, which was being maintained by the Waqf Board, was situated at a spot between Sanjay Van and the Mehrauli Eidgah.