A heritage mosque in Delhi, known as Race Course mosque, has received an eviction notice due to its alleged unauthorized status on government land. The mosque is protected under the Waqf Amendment Act and various Islamic organizations have sought intervention from the Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to prevent its potential demolition.
On Monday, a heritage mosque located near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence in Delhi was issued an eviction notice by the Land and Development Office. The office falls under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and manages government-owned properties, including those in Delhi.
According to the notice, the mosque stands on government land and is considered 'unauthorized'. This has raised concerns among representatives of the mosque who have reported that their electricity and water supplies have been disconnected. The Land and Development Office has directed the mosque authorities to vacate the premises within six days.
The Race Course mosque is listed as a heritage property on the New Delhi Municipal Council's website.
Asaduddin Owaisi, an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MP, has sought the intervention of Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. He argued that the mosque is a 'gazetted waqf property' since 1977 and is protected under the Waqf Amendment Act as 'waqf by user'.
A delegation from the Islamic organisation Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind met with Rijiju on Monday, urging him to intervene to protect the mosque and its adjoining graveyard from demolition. The minister assured the delegation that he would make every effort to address the matter.
It's important to note that a waqf is an endowment under Islamic law dedicated to a religious, educational or charitable cause. Each state has a waqf board led by a legal entity vested with the power to acquire, hold and transfer property.
Source:
Scroll.in
