In a controversial move, the Faridabad Municipal Corporation on Monday, April 15, demolished a 50-year-old mosque—Aqsa Masjid—located in Badkhal village, Haryana, sparking widespread outrage among the local Muslim community.
The mosque’s demolition took place under heavy police presence, including three assistant commissioners of police, even as the matter remains pending before the Supreme Court.
Locals have condemned the action as arbitrary and insensitive, accusing the administration of acting in undue haste. “It is heartbreaking. There was no final decision by the Supreme Court. Why did they tear it down?” said Mushtaq, a local resident. He alleged that authorities first removed nearby shops before targeting the mosque itself. “It was deliberate. We were not even given time,” he added.
Mushtaq also explained the mosque’s long-standing presence, claiming it was built five decades ago on land donated by a former village sarpanch. The structure, covering about 600 to 700 square yards, had served the local community peacefully for generations. “The land dispute is more than 25 years old. Only recently did they begin calling it illegal,” he said, rejecting claims of encroachment.
However, the municipal corporation maintains that the demolition was carried out in accordance with legal procedures. A senior official stated, “This was not a sudden decision. The mosque was among several illegal structures identified on public land, and we acted based on legal orders.”
The demolition has triggered protests and drawn criticism from civil society groups, who are questioning the timing and legality of the move, especially in light of the ongoing court proceedings. — With Agencies Inputs
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com.
