In Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, a vital part of the 180-year-old Noori Jama Masjid, located in Sadar Bazar of Lalauli town, was demolished by authorities on Tuesday morning, citing encroachment related to the construction of a drain.
The demolition comes despite the hearing of a plea filed by the masjid, challenging the demolition, being scheduled for December 13.
The action was carried out in the presence of ADM Avinash Tripathi and ASP Vijay Shankar Mishra, with a significant police deployment, including PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) and RAF (Rapid Action Force).
According to unconfirmed reports, 25,000 locals are under house arrest.
The Public Works Department of Uttar Pradesh issued a notice to the Masjid Committee on September 24, 2024, during a survey for the drain construction. According to the department, the mosque’s rear portion, along with 133 houses and shops, fell under encroachment.
Subsequently, the Management Committee of Noori Jama Masjid approached the Allahabad High Court, challenging the UP Government Public Works Department’s proposed action to demolish a significant portion of the mosque for road widening.
The plea, filed through advocate Syed Azeem Uddin, stated that the demolition would cause major damage to Noori Jama Masjid. While seeking urgent judicial intervention to prevent the demolition, the plea argued that the mosque is not only a place of worship but also a critical component of the nation’s cultural heritage.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.
