Plea Seeking Permission for Ramadan Prayers at Demolished Delhi Mosque Rejected
The Delhi High Court dismissed the plea seeking permission to offer Taraweeh prayers during the holy month at the site of recently demolished 600-year-old mosque - Masjid Akhoondji in Mehrauli area of Delhi.
The mosque, along with Madrasa Bahrul Uloom and various graves in Mehrauli, was demolished by Delhi Development Authority on Jan 30.
Justice Sachin Datta on March 11 dismissed the application moved in a plea filed by Muntazmia Committee Madarsa Behrul Ulum and Kabarstan.
The single judge bench rejected the plea after noting that a similar plea for entry to the site during Shab-e-Barat had already been declined.
“The reasoning given in the aforesaid order dated Feb 23, 2024 squarely applies in the context of the present application as well. In the circumstances, there is no justification for this court to take a different view. As such, this court is not inclined to grant the relief/s sought in the present application and the same is consequently dismissed,” said Justice Datta.
The application sought unhindered entry into the site of the mosque to people wanting to offer the Taraweeh prayers during the month of Ramadan, beginning sunset of March 11 till Eid al-Fitr prayers in the morning of April 11.
Earlier in February this year, the court rejected the plea filed by managing committee of the Delhi Waqf Board seeking directions that the locals be allowed to celebrate Shab-e-Barat on the land where the Akhoondji/Akhunji mosque, graveyard and madrassa once stood.
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The mosque is said to have been built nearly 600 years ago during the Delhi sultanate period.
On Feb 5, the court had ordered status quo on the land where the mosque stood after the managing committee of the Delhi Waqf Board moved the court.
Indian Muslims are increasingly suffering abuse under Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government and fall victim to hate crime and harassment by Hindu hardliners.
In recent months, there have been a number of mosque demolitions in different parts of the country under various pretexts, like the mosque having been built on the ruins of Hindu temples.
Source: The Times of India
