Centre to Remove Century-Old Mosque from Krishi Bhawan, Cites Secular Character
· India · Indian Express, India Today
The Central Government told the Delhi High Court on Monday it plans to remove the century-old Qadeemi Masjid from the premises of Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi. It stated that retaining a religious structure within a government office complex is impermissible and incompatible with the secular character of government property. The mosque is located in the open court of Krishi Bhawan, which, along with Shastri Bhawan, is slated for demolition under the Central Vista redevelopment plan. In December 2021, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said no action was imminent on the six mosques potentially affected by the project. Justice Anish Dayal asked the Centre to clarify whether rules bar religious structures in government complexes and whether alternate prayer spaces would be provided. The court gave the mosque committee until November 23 to respond.
Why it matters
The decision sets a precedent for the treatment of religious structures on government land and directly affects the worshippers and Waqf committee managing Qadeemi Masjid, while also shaping the legal framework for the Central Vista redevelopment.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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