Sunehri Bagh Masjid is not just a mosque, it has a history that is closely associated with several of our freedom fighters, says noted historian and Aligarh Muslim University Prof. S. Irfan Habib.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Public outrage over NDMC’s plan to demolish the 150-year-old mosque located near Central Secretariat in South Delhi’s Sunehri Bagh area intensified on Wednesday.
The controversy was raked up when the Department of Architecture & Environs of the NDMC put out a media notification on Sunday asking for objections and suggestions from the general public.
Reacting to the NDMC notice, noted historian and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Prof. S. Irfan Habib said that the mosque has a history closely associated with several freedom fighters.
“Sunehri Bagh Masjid is not just a mosque, it has a history that is closely associated with several of our freedom fighters. Hasrat Mohani, member of our Constituent Assembly, used to stay here while attending the meetings. Care for its illustrious history,” Habib posted on X while sharing his piece written on the history of Inqilab Zindabad.
Author Rana Safvi further shed light on the historic significance of the mosque noting that the Britishers kept out the mosque of their demolition plan when they were laying down the national capital.
“When New Delhi was being planned many old buildings were demolished by the British. But several buildings were left out because of their heritage value. This Sunehri Mosque was so called because it was in a Hakimji’s garden called Sunehri Bagh. It was considered of immense value (later given Heritage III status) and left untouched,” Safvi said.
She also noted that it was in this very mosque nationalist poet Hasrat Mohani coined the Inqilab Zindabad slogan and was first to ask for purna swaraj (complete independence) in 1930. The poet used to sleep in the mosque during Parliament sessions as he had refused government accommodation and transport.
Dr. Mohammed Jawed, Congress MP from Kishanganj, also wrote to the NDMC expressing his strongest objections to the proposes plan of the mosque demolition.
“The mosque is a historic landmark and for many people in the community. Its demolition would be a grave loss to the city of Delhi and its heritage,” wrote Jawed.
He noted that the mosque was built in the late Mughal era and is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture. It is not only a place of religious significance, but also a popular tourist destination. The mosque is well-maintained and is an important part of the Muslim community. Five times daily prayers are offered, and it caters to worshippers without any problems of traffic.
According to Jawed, the demolition of the mosque, which is a protected monument under the Delhi Development Act, 1962 would violate the Muslim Places of Worship (Acquisition and Maintenance Act 1958.
“The demolition of the mosque would set a dangerous precedent for the destruction of other historic structures in Delhi,” he wrote.
Supreme Court advocate Anas Tanwir said he and several other persons would send their suggestions and objections to protect the mosque.
