Mosque Demolitions in Delhi, Faridabad Trigger Protests; Police Deployed

NEW DELHI/FARIDABAD, Sept 23: Demolition drives involving mosque structures in Delhi's Shalimar Bagh and Faridabad's Ganpati Colony triggered protests and police intervention on Tuesday and Wednesday, although there were no reports of a major communal clash or widespread violence.

 

In Delhi's Shalimar Bagh, civic authorities carried out a late-night anti-encroachment drive on Max Hospital Road as part of a road-widening project. The upper portion of Madina Mosque and several adjoining structures were demolished under heavy police deployment. Authorities said the structures were being removed as part of the road-widening exercise and that notices had been issued.

 

 

 

The demolition drew protests from local residents and AIMIM leaders. Mosque authorities questioned the timing and procedure of the action, alleging that they were not given adequate opportunity to respond to the notices. The demolition operation was subsequently halted and the bulldozers removed from the site.

 

In Faridabad's Ganpati Colony, the municipal corporation demolished a structure described by authorities as an unauthorised religious construction. Officials said the construction had been undertaken without an approved building plan despite notices. Reports said local women resisted the action and there was pushing and shoving with women police personnel during the operation.