New Delhi: Delhi Waqf Board has sought protection of the nearly 300-year-old Race Course mosque after its electricity and water connections were allegedly disconnected during a demolition drive on Oct 7.
22 and registered on UMEED portal. The letter alleges that some persons identifying themselves as officers of Land and Development Office (L&DO) visited the mosque on Oct 17 and directed the imam to vacate the premises within three days, stating the mosque would subsequently be removed. The 53.2 acres of land belongs to L&DO and was handed over to CPWD for maintenance and development.
“This was despite the mosque having a lawful electricity connection since 1976,” it said, noting the mosque is included in NDMC’s heritage list at No. The letter, marked to the ministries of minority affairs and home affairs, and divisional commissioner and DM of New Delhi district, stated the electricity and water links were snapped during removal of jhuggis without any prior notice or apparent valid reason. Seeking urgent intervention, the board asked the authorities to examine the matter on priority and restore the electricity and water supply. Sources in the ministry of housing and urban affairs stated that L&DO had not issued any notice to the mosque. NDMC did not respond to questions regarding the discontinuation of power and water connections. During a visit Wednesday, TOI found entry place restricted, with police personnel deployed in and around the site. Debris and ruins of demolished jhuggis were visible near the closed gate.