Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticised the demolition of a mosque on the Saharanpur Collectorate premises in Uttar Pradesh, questioning whether the constitutional right to freedom of religion still applies to Muslims.
The mosque was demolished around 5 am on Saturday amid heavy security, according to reports. Owaisi claimed that records dating back to 1911 establish the existence of the mosque and said prayers had been offered there for more than a century.
He argued that the mosque falls under the principle of “Waqf by User” and questioned the government’s claim over the land.
“The mosque was there before the Collectorate came later,” Owaisi said, while criticising the use of bulldozers for the demolition.
He also asserted that his religious freedom should not depend on the government’s discretion.
Saharanpur Mosque Demolition Triggers Political Row
Officials said the demolition was carried out in compliance with a court order. A court had earlier declared the mosque an illegal structure on government land, while the district court rejected an appeal filed by the Muslim side on Friday.
Following the rejection, authorities carried out the demolition on Saturday with heavy security deployed in the area.
The action has triggered a political controversy in western Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan was reportedly stopped by police while preparing to travel to Saharanpur. Heavy security was also deployed at her residence.
Congress MP Imran Masood also condemned the demolition and raised questions over the land records and the role of the Waqf Board. He alleged that the Muslim side was not given an opportunity to approach a higher court.
The demolition and the competing claims over the mosque’s legal status are expected to remain a major political issue in the region.
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