Gorakhpur Development Authority Oorders mosque demolition, sparking protests from Muslim community leaders and worshippers
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
GORAKHPUR – Tensions have escalated as the Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA) has ordered the demolition of a mosque near the Ghosh Company intersection, citing alleged illegal construction. This mosque has become the latest flashpoint in a string of incidents that have deepened fears about the future of mosques, madrasas in the state.
The GDA claims that the mosque, built last year on land allocated by the Nagar Nigam, was constructed without proper approval of the building plan. A notice issued to Shoaib Ahmed, the mosque’s caretaker, demands that the structure be demolished within 15 days. Failure to comply, the notice warns, will result in the authorities carrying out the demolition themselves and recovering the costs.
On February 15, 2025, the GDA served a formal notice to Shoaib Ahmed, the son of the late custodian of the mosque. The order stated that the mosque was built without an approved map and that no building plan had been submitted to the authorities. The GDA alleges that the construction violated established building norms. Despite multiple notices issued since May 2024, Shoaib Ahmed has denied these allegations, insisting that all legal requirements were met.
According to the GDA, an inspection in May 2024 revealed that the mosque’s construction was underway without official approval. The authorities claim that no building plan was presented during the inspection and that Shoaib Ahmed failed to appear at a hearing scheduled for May 30, 2024. Notices issued in February 2025 also went unanswered, prompting the GDA to push for immediate action.
Shoaib Ahmed, however, disputes these claims. He stated that he attended the GDA hearing on February 15 and presented his case, submitting a written response to the authorities on February 14. “We are being unfairly targeted,” Ahmed said. “The mosque was built as a replacement for an old mosque, and we followed all the required procedures.”
The dispute over the land dates back to January 2024, when the Nagar Nigam launched a campaign to clear encroached land near the Ghosh Company intersection. During the operation, several illegal structures, including a dilapidated mosque that had stood for over fifty years, were demolished. Following protests from the local Muslim community, the Nagar Nigam agreed to allocate approximately 60 square meters of land for the construction of a new mosque. The agreement stipulated that the new mosque would be similar in size and shape to the original structure. However, it is this new construction that now faces demolition.
The GDA’s order has sparked outrage among local Muslims, with community leaders and worshippers voicing strong opposition. Muhammad Naseem Khan, a regular worshipper at the mosque, described the demolition order as part of a broader strategy to harass and intimidate Muslims. “This is all a lie and a deception,” Khan said. “It is clear that the real intention is to create division and hatred against Muslims. The mosque cannot be built illegally, and we have followed all the rules.”
Abdul Malik Mian, another worshipper, echoed the sentiments suggesting that the mosque’s prime location had led to resentment among some local Hindus. “Hindus don’t like anything about Muslims,” Mian said. “This mosque is a symbol of our faith, and they are looking for any excuse to attack us. If anything happens to this mosque, we will not stay silent.”
The controversy has also drawn attention to the role of local media, particularly Hindi-language outlets, which some critics accuse of exacerbating tensions by spreading misinformation and fueling communal divisions. “The media is part of the problem,” said a local activist who wished to remain anonymous. “They are spreading lies about Muslims and stoking the flames of hatred. This is deepening the divide and making things worse for everyone.”
The GDA’s actions follow a similar incident in Kushinagar, where the local administration demolished the exterior of the Madani Masjid, sparking a legal challenge that has reached the Supreme Court. Critics argue that such actions are part of a wider campaign to marginalise and silence the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh.
The situation in Uttar Pradesh reflects the larger political and social climate in India, where Muslims have faced growing challenges to their religious and cultural practices. While the state government maintains that these actions are taken in accordance with the law, many Muslims see them as part of a concerted effort to discriminate against their community.
“Every time something happens to a mosque, the community is made to feel like they don’t belong,” said Farhat Ali, a local Muslim activist. “This isn’t just about one mosque. This is about the ongoing erosion of Muslim rights in this country.”
As the controversy continues, the question remains: will justice be served, or will this be another chapter in a series of actions that undermine the rights and dignity of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh? The outcome of the legal proceedings in Gorakhpur will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for future cases involving the demolition of mosques and the treatment of Muslims in India.
For now, the mosque stands, but the tension in Gorakhpur remains palpable. Muslims across the state are watching closely, as the situation in Gorakhpur could have far-reaching implications for the community’s future in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
