Eviction Notice Issued to Historic Race Course Mosque Near Modi’s Residence

Authorities have reportedly issued a notice giving the historic Race Course Mosque in Delhi six days to vacate the premises. The mosque is located near the official residence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The mosque’s imam has raised concerns about its future.

Imam Mohammad Harun said the Central Public Works Land and Development Office had disconnected the mosque’s water and electricity supplies and closed its main gate. As a result, worshippers are facing serious difficulties in reaching the mosque to perform their regular prayers.

Mr. Harun, who has been associated with the mosque for nearly 40 years, made the allegations in a video circulating on social media. He said the restrictions had blocked access to the mosque. He also alleged that the Delhi Waqf Board had failed to provide effective assistance despite repeated appeals.

According to media reports, the Central Land and Development Office has classified the mosque as an unauthorised structure built on government land. However, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) lists it as a “heritage property” on its official website. Its legal status remains unresolved.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Seeks Kiren Rijiju’s Intervention

A delegation led by Maulana Muhammad Hakimuddin Qasmi, general secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, met Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and submitted a memorandum seeking urgent intervention to protect the mosque and its adjoining cemetery behind Safdarjung Tomb.

The memorandum, submitted on behalf of the organisation’s president, Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, stated that the mosque is listed as number 22 in the NDMC’s heritage register and number 18 in the 1977 Delhi Gazette.

The organisation urged the minister to seek a detailed report from the relevant authorities. It also called for a halt to any demolition or eviction until the legal dispute is resolved. According to media reports, Mr. Rijiju listened to the delegation’s concerns and assured them that he would “make every possible effort” to address the matter.

Imam Alleges Inaction by Waqf Board

Imam Harun alleged that he had been raising the issue with the Delhi Waqf Board for nearly six months but had received no effective assistance. He said the board had only written to the NDMC regarding the disconnection of water and electricity supplies. According to him, the board had taken no legal action to challenge the authorities’ measures in court.

Mr. Harun referred to a survey conducted in 2021, claiming that the mosque had not been classified as an illegal structure or an encroachment. However, this claim could not be independently verified. Citing the difficulties worshippers face because of restricted access and the loss of essential services, Mr. Harun appealed to the public to help protect the mosque.

Mr. Owaisi and Amanatullah Khan Express Concern

Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and a member of India’s Lok Sabha, urged Mr. Rijiju to intervene immediately. He called for urgent steps to protect the mosque as a heritage site and Waqf property.

Mr. Owaisi noted that the mosque had been listed as Waqf property since 1977. Criticising the Delhi Waqf Board for failing to take legal action, he questioned why its officials had not acted on the issue, even though the board had been without a governing body since 2023.

Amanatullah Khan, an Aam Aadmi Party leader and MLA from Okhla, also expressed serious concern over the reported eviction notice. In a video message, Mr. Khan said, “The mosque dates back to the pre-Partition period and is also included in the NDMC’s heritage list. Tomorrow, I will go there myself.”

The dispute over the mosque follows other eviction drives in the Race Course Road area. According to reports, the Delhi High Court recently allowed civic authorities to remove slum residents from the area, with plans to rehabilitate them later in Sawda Ghevra.