DDA’s demolition drive has raised concerns over obliteration of Delhi’s rich historical fabric and the need for a more nuanced approach to heritage conservation and urban planning.
Clarion Team
NEW DELHI – In a contentious legal battle between historical preservation and urban development, a 100-year-old mosque and a graveyard located in South Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan are facing demolition by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The mosque, known as Shahi Masjid, and its adjacent Kangal Shah graveyard and madrasa, has become the focal point of a legal tussle, sparking debates over heritage conservation and administrative jurisdiction.
The Delhi High Court had earlier issued a directive restraining any coercive action against the mosque and associated structures and sought response of the Delhi government’s Religious Committee, Centre, and DDA, among others, a report in The Indian Express said. The managing committee of the mosque had moved the court claiming the historical significance of the place of worship and the burial area. However, the DDA filed a plea seeking the vacation of the court’s stay order, citing the mosque’s location in a protected forest zone where residential and commercial activities are prohibited.
The legal battle intensified when the court sought clarifications from the DDA regarding the basis for contemplating the mosque’s removal. Media reports said Justice Sachin Datta questioned DDA’s rationale behind targeting a structure with such historical significance. The court emphasised the need for a clear and cogent explanation from the DDA, particularly concerning the dimensions of the encroachment and the legality of the proposed demolition.
The plight of the mosque’s managing committee and the local community members has been highlighted by The Print. The community, the mosque committee, and the imam expressed concern over the potential demolition, emphasising the mosque’s century-old history and its role as a cultural heritage site. The report shed light on the oral history passed down through generations, describing the mosque’s origins and the significance of the surrounding graveyard and the madrasa.
The situation in Dhaula Kuan mirrors similar situation unfolding across Delhi, where several historic religious sites face the threat of demolition in the name of urban development. The contentious nature of these demolitions has sparked debate among historians, urban planners, and community members about the preservation of cultural heritage and the importance of public consultation in decision-making processes.
Notably, the fate of Shahi Masjid echoes recent incidents involving demolition of other historical mosques and religious structures across Delhi, including Akhonji Masjid in Mehrauli and the Sunehri Bagh Mosque near Udyog Bhawan. These demolitions have raised concerns over obliteration of Delhi’s rich historical fabric and the need for a more nuanced approach to heritage conservation and urban planning.
In light of the ongoing legal battle and public outcry, the high court’s directives on Shahi Masjid and other threatened structures hold significant implications for Delhi’s cultural landscape and the balance between development and preservation.
Stakeholders await the court’s verdict, hoping for a resolution that protects the city’s history and its development aspirations. It remains to be seen whether Shahi Masjid continues to stand as a testament to Delhi’s centuries-old heritage or fall victim to modernisation process.
