In a letter to Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister, Housing & Urban Affairs, Govt of India, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind National President Maulana Mahmood Madani sought overall protection of the mosques and warned that no alternatives will be acceptable in this regard.
TCN News
NEW DELHI – Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind National President Maulana Mahmood Madani has expressed concern over the Central Vista Project at New Delhi and the status of religious places, more specifically the mosques falling within the ambit of the lands covered.
In a letter to Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister, Housing & Urban Affairs, Govt of India, Maulana Madani sought overall protection of the mosques and warned that no alternatives will be acceptable in this regard.
Maulana Madani pointed out that that there are various mosques on the land parcels covered under notification dated 20.03.2020 which includes Zabta Ganj Masjid (Mansingh Road), Rakabganj Mosque (Near Gurudwara Shri Rakabganj Sahib), Krishi Bhawan Masjid (Krishi Bhawan), Sunheri Bagh Road Masjid (Near Udyog Bhawan), A Public Masjid subsequently made part of the Vice President’s House (presently within the lawn of the Vice President’s Residence)
“There are many rumours and public concerns about them,” JIH President said, adding, “With that view, a delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also visited these mosques on June 6 and gathered the required information.”
Jamiat President Maulana Mahmood Madani said that “these mosques are parts of our world heritage, if they get damaged, it would impact international reputation and will profoundly hurt the sentiment of a particular community.”
“Therefore we demand that the government comes with a concrete plan to preserve these mosques and they shall not be disturbed at any cost. We also, seek government indulgence for a clarificatory Government Order in this regard,” he said.
The letter also shed light that the mosques falling in the area are functioning.
“However, the mosque which falls within the campus of the Hon’ble Vice-President’s House also must be preserved for its uses. We have confirmed information that as late as 2016-2017, the said mosque was a functional mosque. While planning the area surrounding this mosque, appropriate provision for an easement must have been made in the developmental plans. Since the residence of the Vice-President and the compound attached therewith comes under the administrative and regulatory supervision of his Ministry, we request the Hon’ble Minister (Housing And Urban Affairs) to facilitate us an inspection of the said mosque on a designated time and date,” the letter added.