Image: India Today
In Delhi’s Bengali Market area is a mosque standing tall for almost 250 years which now has a bunch of debris lying next to as a part of it has been razed to the ground by Delhi administration with the assistance of Delhi Police. This part of the mosque was a Madrassa where about 125 orphan children were residing is now demolished.
On Tuesday, Land And Development Office (L&DO), the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) conducted this “anti-encroachment” drive and demolished the boundary wall of the Bengali market mosque as that wall was abutting L&DO property. A Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs official told The Indian Express that the mosque and the madrasa have been left untouched and only a part of a wall abutting L&DO property was demolished. However, pictures tell a different story.
Image: India Today
All this, without giving any kind of notice to the management of the mosque. Advocate Mehmood Pracha was also present at the demolition site and demanded repeatedly from the police officer present, a copy of the order showing that the demolition has been authorised. However, despite repeated asks, the police officer kept avoiding showing the order, saying he will show it at the “right time”, as can be seen in a report by Millat Times. Pracha also demanded that the police officer take down his complaint that a dacoity had taken place there since all belongings were taken away and the structures illegally razed. However, to no avail. Pracha was then escorted away by Delhi Police.
Illegal demolition of a 250 yrs old Mosque in Delhi. Adv @MehmoodPracha asked for legal orders but Administration hadn’t. ViA @Millat_Timespic.twitter.com/VWIYwJr1WU
— ?rundhati…?️? (@Polytikles) April 12, 2023
Trustees of the mosque said they are a privately-funded establishment and that the mosque runs on donation money. They told India Today that the land on which the structure was built belongs to the Waqf board.
Amidst all this, the Madrassa staff offered water and juice to the Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel who were present for security there.
Look at the beauty of my religion. The Bengali Market Madarsa staff offering water, juice to police & RAF posted for security at the demolition site. Those serving are themselves fasting & grieving the demolition. Even in such a time they are being kind. @azadsubhani pic.twitter.com/pETjZsyDvd
— Dr. Aqsa Shaikh (@doctorsaheba) April 12, 2023
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