Despite severe demolition threats, power and water supply cut-offs, and stringent security cordons, worshippers successfully offered Friday prayers at the historic Race Course Mosque in New Delhi. Located near the Prime Minister's official residence, the century-old mosque has been at the center of escalating tensions as local authorities move forward with controversial urban clearance drives. Worshippers had to navigate through debris and heavy police deployment to reach the mosque, reflecting deep-seated anxiety and anger over the administration's actions.
Recently, the local administration served eviction notices, declaring the Race Course Mosque an illegal structure. Even before deadlines expired, authorities used bulldozers to flatten neighboring residences and commercial shops, displacing long-term residents. Critics and community members point out that such actions disproportionately target minority communities, including Bengali-speaking Muslims, under the guise of removing illegal encroachments across various parts of the country.
In anticipation of unrest, authorities imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) around the mosque and adjacent neighborhoods on Friday, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people and any form of public demonstration. However, law enforcement authorities adopted a somewhat flexible approach during the designated prayer hours, allowing worshippers to enter the premises and perform their religious obligations peacefully without direct confrontation.
Following the prayers, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Amanatullah Khan claimed that he held constructive discussions with top officials from the Delhi Waqf Board, NDMC, and relevant authorities, assuring the public that the historic mosque remains fully protected and safe from demolition. Despite these assurances, the local Muslim community remains gripped by uncertainty, demanding permanent legal safeguards and protection for their religious heritage amidst a broader climate of communal polarization across India.
