The absence of the historic mosque from CPWD tender maps for Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan reconstruction raises fears of demolition
NEW DELHI – An over 100-year-old mosque located near the Parliament complex in the heart of the capital has come under fresh concern after redevelopment plans linked to the Central Vista project failed to show the structure on official maps.
The mosque, known locally as Qadeemi Masjid, stands within the Krishi Bhawan complex, a short distance from the new Parliament building. For decades, Muslim employees of Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan, along with residents from nearby areas, have offered regular prayers here. Women also have a separate space in the basement to pray.
Now, the future of the mosque appears uncertain.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) last month issued a tender for the demolition and reconstruction of Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan as part of the Central Vista and Common Central Secretariat projects. The maps attached to the tender show that the existing buildings will be demolished and replaced by new Common Central Secretariat Buildings 4 and 5.
However, the 100-year-old mosque does not appear in the new plan.
This omission has raised serious questions among members of the Muslim community and the Delhi Waqf Board, which oversees Islamic religious properties in the city.
Officials of the Delhi Waqf Board say the mosque predates Krishi Bhawan itself and has stood there for more than a century. They argue that regular prayers have been held at the mosque long before the present government buildings were constructed.
A senior Waqf Board official said, “The mosque has been there for over 100 years. It is not an encroachment or a recent construction. It existed even before Krishi Bhawan became part of the present complex.”
He added, “The fact that the mosque does not appear in the tender maps raises concerns about its future. We want clarity from the authorities.”
The Waqf Board has indicated that it may once again approach the court if there is any attempt to remove or damage the mosque.
This is not the first time the mosque’s future has come into question.
In 2021, when redevelopment under the Central Vista project was first underway, the Delhi Waqf Board had moved the court seeking protection for the mosque. At that time, the government reportedly assured the court that the mosque would not be harmed during the redevelopment process.
Following this assurance, the high court dismissed the petition. However, it also made it clear that if the mosque faced any threat in the future, the Waqf Board would be free to approach the court again.
Now, with the mosque missing from the new maps, the Waqf Board believes that the earlier assurance must be honoured.
A Waqf Board representative said, “The government had given an assurance before the court. If that assurance is not respected, we will have no option but to seek legal remedy.”
The imam of the mosque has also expressed concern.
Speaking about the issue, he said, “This mosque is not just a structure made of bricks and cement. It is a place of faith for hundreds of people. For many Muslim employees working nearby, this is the only convenient place to offer their daily prayers.”
He added, “We are worried. We do not want any confrontation. We only want our place of worship to remain safe.”
Several Muslim employees working in nearby offices said they were anxious about the reports.
One employee, requesting anonymity, said, “We offer Dhuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers here during office hours. If the mosque is removed, it will be very difficult for us. We hope the authorities will respect our religious rights.”
Another worshipper said, “Women also pray here. There is a separate arrangement in the basement. It shows that the mosque has been serving the community properly.”
Under the Central Government’s Central Vista and Common Central Secretariat projects, several old government buildings in central Delhi are being demolished and replaced with new structures. Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan are among the buildings identified for demolition and reconstruction.
CPWD has issued tenders for this purpose, and the redevelopment is being presented as part of a larger plan to modernise government infrastructure.
At present, there has been no official statement from the government specifically addressing the mosque or clarifying whether it will be preserved, relocated, or removed.
The silence has added to the anxiety among worshippers.
Members of the Muslim community say they are not opposed to development but want their religious rights protected.
A resident said, “Development should not come at the cost of religious places that have existed for generations. If the mosque has been there for more than 100 years, it deserves protection.”
Another worshipper said, “We are citizens of this country. Our faith and our places of worship should be treated with respect.”
As the Central Vista project continues to reshape the area around Parliament, the fate of Qadeemi Masjid remains uncertain. For now, prayers continue as usual, but concern hangs in the air.
The coming days may decide whether the century-old mosque remains standing as a symbol of continuity or becomes another casualty of redevelopment in the heart of the capital.
