Jaipur, Jun 9 (PTI) Several Muslim bodies on Tuesday demanded a judicial inquiry into the demolition of Noorani Masjid in Jaipur and alleged that the action was carried out despite legal proceedings relating to the site being pending before competent authorities.
Addressing a joint press conference organised by the Noorani Masjid Management Committee, Rajasthan Muslim Forum and members of civil society, Congress MLAs Amin Kagzi and Rafeek Khan termed the demolition a matter of serious concern and raised questions over due process and constitutional safeguards.
The leaders claimed that the mosque stood on land purchased in 1981 and had been functioning for decades as a place of worship and community activity.
Five religious structures, including
the mosque, two temples, a satsang building and a mazar, falling within a road boundary were removed during an anti-encroachment drive near the Nandpuri underpass in Jagatpura on Monday.
The Jaipur Development Authority has maintained that the demolition was part of an anti-encroachment drive to clear structures falling within the alignment of a road project.
The Muslim leaders also alleged that the demolition was carried out despite legal and statutory proceedings relating to the site being under consideration.
“Adequate opportunity should have been provided to the concerned parties to present their case before any action was taken,” Kagzi said.
Representatives of the mosque management committee claimed that the mosque was registered with the Rajasthan Waqf Board and that relevant records existed regarding the property’s status.
They demanded a judicial inquiry into the demolition process and sought accountability of officials involved in the decision-making.
The organisations appealed to citizens, social organisations and political parties to register their protest peacefully and said people would wear black armbands during Friday prayers to demand justice for Noorani Masjid and those affected by the demolition drive.
In a separate statement, Rajasthan Muslim Alliance president Mohsin Rasheed alleged that the demolition had created apprehensions among members of the minority community.
“This demolition has sent a worrying message to minorities. We fear that similar actions could be taken against other religious structures. Mosque committees should ensure that all documentation is in order and be prepared to pursue legal remedies to protect their rights,” he said.
“We also express our solidarity with all those whose lawfully constructed homes and religious sites were demolished without a proper hearing. We demand justice for them as well,” the representatives said. PTI SDA ZMN ZMN
