From Politicians to Activists: Modi Govt. Under Fire Over Demolition of 115-Year-Old Saharanpur Mosque
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 9th Sep, 2026) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh is facing intense criticism for the dawn demolition of an 115-year-old mosque located within the Saharanpur Collectorate campus.
The mosque, confirmed by caretakers and legal documents to have been built in 1911, was razed using heavy machinery in the early hours under tight security, including five companies of armed constabulary and anti-riot police. Key opposition representatives were placed under house arrest to prevent them from protesting.
This swift destruction followed a court ruling three days prior, which denied the mosque committee an extension to appeal to the High Court.
Condemnation and Criticism
Opposition figures, social activists, and religious organizations have united in condemning the act, highlighting the mosque’s historical significance. It predated the current Collectorate building, was registered with the Waqf board (Registration No. 451), and stood on land historically owned privately.
Political leaders across parties have unanimously denounced the demolition, accusing the government of using power to stir communal tensions in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Asaduddin Owaisi, a parliamentarian and AIMIM leader, questioned the existence of religious freedom for Muslims. He noted that continuous public worship for over a century meets the legal definition of Waqf by User and that decades of open possession protected the property under the law.
Imran Masood, a Congress MP from Saharanpur, described the action as a violation of the Constitution. He pointed out that revenue records show the land originally belonged to Yaqub Khan and Waheed Khan, within whose estate the mosque was built. He added that the administration ignored legal procedures, not even making the Waqf Board a party to the proceedings.
Iqra Hasan, a Samajwadi Party MP from Kairana, criticized her own forced house arrest by the administration prior to the demolition, calling it a "mockery of law and order." She accused the government of delivering "quick justice" through bulldozers.
Sanjay Singh, an Aam Aadmi Party MP, and Mahua Moitra, a Trinamool Congress MP, also reaffirmed that the mosque predated the government offices and accused the BJP regime of stoking communal hatred for political gain.
Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and Principal of Darul Uloom Deoband, strongly condemned the act, stating that bulldozers have become instruments of prejudice and politics of revenge. He emphasized that the demolition reflects a trend of prejudice and political retribution.
