IndiaNewsPolitics

Destroying Mosques is a New Pastime in India


You are Here: Tweet, Like, Share, Comment, Subscribe…be the Voice of Free Press!

By Syed Ali Mujtaba, Edited By Adam Rizvi, The India Observer, TIO: New Delhi: It seems that after the destruction of the Babari masjid, the appetite for the demolition of mosques continues unabated in India.

Media reports are agog with stories about mosques being demolished in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

Someone needs to do a count of how many mosques have been destroyed since the ill-fated event on December 6. 1992.

The latest incident occurred on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Railway Colony in Prayagraj/Allahabad.  There when the Muslim worshippers arrived for the weekly Friday prayers, they found their place of worship in a demolished state.

Also Read, Tweet  & Share: No Respite from Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes in 2024  

The mosque was situated around 150 meters from Prayagraj Railway Station and was torn down by the local authorities without any prior notice or following any legal procedure.

Eyewitnesses reported that during demolition no one gave any respect to the copies of the holy Holy Quran kept inside the mosque that were reported to be desecrated during the incident.

Also Read, Tweet  & Share: Muslim group agrees to end the Mosque dispute in Shimla

Some apologists have argued that the mosque was constructed on unauthorized land. Since it was done without legal permission, the demolition of the mosque did not warrant following any legal procedure.

The straight answer is that this was a functional mosque where people were going for religious purposes and that is protected under the right of religious freedom. In such a case Muslims cannot be subjected to such a targeted attack on their place of worship.

Also Read, Tweet  & Share: Warning of Ethnic Cleansing of Muslims in Uttrakhand Reported

No doubt, the sudden demolition of the mosque has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the local Muslims and the community members are in shock over such an outrageous activity.

This incident has raised serious concerns about the protection of Muslim religious sites and the legal protocols that should be followed in such matters.

What is noticed is that the Hindutva elements have found a new handle to attack the Muslim community and this time targeting the mosques that may be constructed on unauthorized land.

Also Read, Tweet  & Share: Judicial Fortitude: Examining India’s Judiciary in the Face of Adversity

Recently, the Sanjauli mosque in Shimla grabbed headlines for unauthorized construction. This was followed by a similar incident at a mosque in Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. In both places, a peaceful resolution was reached after the consultation with the concerned parties.

However, in the case of the Railway Colony mosque in Prayagraj, no such efforts were ever being made. The mosque was demolished to humiliate the Muslim community. Explicit in the design was an anti-Muslim agenda.

Also Read, Tweet  & Share: Muslims open Mosques to shelter Hindu flood-hit victims in Tamil Nadu

This is a sorry picture of contemporary India, where wanton destruction of Muslim religious sites has become a new pastime in India.

Also Read more from this Author: Waqf Amendment bill- A Hidden Agenda to further ‘Pulverize’ Indian Muslims

Articles written by contributors have different viewpoints. The views expressed in the articles are the author’s own and not necessarily supported by TIO, The India Observer its affiliates, staff, or the management. Our Articles can be reproduced, with the following conditions, (1) No alteration to the content, (2) Visible, and full credit is given to the Author & Editor. (3) Citing, The India Observer, TIO. In the case of online or electronic media, a link to the original article must be given. Rules are strictly enforced. Any questions, email the Editor at: Mediaiss@gmail.com Or TheIndiaObserver@gmail.com

All Copyrights reserved. Please be guided.


Syed Ali Mujtaba

Syed Ali Mujtaba

Syed Ali Mujtaba is a Sr.Journalist, Author based in Chennai, India. Writes frequently for the USA based News Portal, TheIndiaObserver. He is author of the book Soundings on South Asia, New Dawn Press (2005). He can be reached at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com or TIO, at Mediaiss@Gmail.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *