Delhi High Court has declined a request for conducting Ramzan prayers at the site of the ancient Akhunji Mosque, which was demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
The Delhi High Court has declined a request for conducting Ramzan prayers at the site of the ancient Akhunji Mosque, which was demolished by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The decision, delivered by Justice Sachin Datta on March 11, comes after a similar plea for entry to the site during Shab e-barat was turned down earlier.
Also Read-Eve Teasing: Bombay High Court Warns Of Serious Offences, Urges Action (lawchakra.in)
Justice Datta stated,
“The reasoning given in the aforesaid order dated 23.02.2024 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.”
This decision underscores the court’s consistent stance on the matter, reflecting the complexities involved in cases of historical and religious significance.
The plea for prayer rights at the demolished site was initiated by the Muntazmia Committee Madarsa Behrul Ulum and Kabristan. Their request followed a previous rejection by the High Court on February 23, concerning the celebration of Shab e-barat at the land where the Akhoondji/Akhunji mosque, along with a graveyard and madrassa, once stood.
The Akhunji Mosque, alongside the Behrul Uloom madrasa in Mehrauli, was brought down in an early morning operation on January 30 by the DDA. The local community has claimed that the mosque was constructed nearly 600-700 years ago during the Delhi Sultanate period, highlighting its historical and cultural significance.
Following the demolition, the Managing Committee of the Delhi Waqf Board approached the High Court, leading to an order on February 5 to maintain the status quo on the land where the mosque previously stood. This legal move was part of broader efforts to address the concerns surrounding the demolition of religious and historical sites.
The High Court’s decision not to allow Ramzan prayers at the site reflects the ongoing legal and social debates surrounding the preservation of historical sites and the rights to religious practices. The case of the Akhunji Mosque is emblematic of the challenges faced in balancing development, historical preservation, and religious freedoms in a rapidly modernizing society.
Also Read-Delhi High Court Investigates ‘Fake Bail’ Order Involving Lawyer And Prisoner (lawchakra.in)
