50-year-old mosque demolished in Faridabad amid legal dispute, locals allege targeting
Faridabad: The demolition of a decades-old mosque in Haryana’s Faridabad has sparked outrage and sorrow among local residents, who claim the move was both hasty and politically motivated.
The Aqsa Masjid, located in Badkhal village, was razed on Monday by the municipal corporation, despite the case being under active consideration by the Supreme Court. The demolition was carried out under heavy police presence, including three assistant commissioners of police.
“This is not just a building—it’s our history, our faith,” said Mushtaq, a long-time resident of the area. “The Supreme Court had yet to give its verdict. Why rush to destroy it now? First, they came for the shops. Now, the mosque. This feels deliberate.”
According to locals, the mosque stood peacefully for 50 years on land originally donated by a former village sarpanch. The structure, measuring approximately 40 by 80 feet, served as a central place of worship for the Muslim community in the area. For decades, there were no disputes over its legality until recent years, when officials began labeling it as an encroachment.
Municipal officials maintain that the demolition was a legally mandated action. “This mosque was one of several unauthorised constructions on public land,” said a senior municipal officer. “The matter had been examined, and we followed due process under legal directives.”
However, community members refute these claims, insisting that the structure had never been previously challenged in any serious way. They argue that labeling it an encroachment is a recent development and lacks basis given the mosque’s long-standing presence.
The incident comes at a time of heightened communal sensitivity across parts of the country, and rights groups have begun raising questions about the timing and manner of the demolition.
A 50-year-old mosque, Aqsa Masjid, whose case is pending in the Supreme Court, was arbitrarily demolished by the municipal corporation amidst heavy police presence, including three assistant commissioners of police, at Haryana's Faridabad district, sparking public outcry among… pic.twitter.com/i52cEET7yT
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Vartha Bharati–Sankalp predictions align closely with Karnataka bypoll results
Bengaluru: The Vartha Bharati–Sankalp election analysis has shown a high level of accuracy in predicting the outcome of the recent Karnataka Assembly by-elections held in May 2026, correctly calling winners in both constituencies and closely estimating vote share trends.
The by-elections were held in Bagalkot and Davanagere South, drawing significant political attention as both seats were seen as key tests for the ruling Congress and opposition BJP.
According to the analysis, Vartha Bharati–Sankalp had made three major projections ahead of the results the winning party, vote share percentages, and margin of victory.
In both constituencies, the platform accurately predicted that the Congress would emerge victorious. The outcome matched the projections, with Congress candidates winning in Bagalkot and Davanagere South.
In terms of vote share, the predictions were largely in line with the final results. In Bagalkot, the BJP’s vote share was forecast in the range of 40 to 46 per cent, while the actual figure stood at 42.9 per cent. The Congress vote share, however, exceeded expectations, with the party securing 55.4 per cent against a projected range of 43 to 48 per cent.
The margin of victory in Bagalkot turned out to be significantly higher than anticipated. While the projection had placed the margin between 2,000 and 3,500 votes, the final margin was around 22,332 votes.
In Davanagere South, the predictions also remained largely accurate. The Congress vote share was projected between 43 and 51 per cent, and the final figure stood at 43.9 per cent. The BJP was expected to secure between 42 and 50 per cent but ended with 40.3 per cent.
The analysis had also identified the role of SDPI as a potential spoiler in the constituency. While its vote share was estimated around 6 per cent, the party eventually secured around 12 per cent of the vote.
The margin of victory in Davanagere South was predicted to be between 1,500 and 2,600 votes. The actual margin was higher at around 5,708 votes, though the contest remained relatively close as anticipated.
Overall, the performance of Vartha Bharati–Sankalp stood out for correctly identifying the winning parties in both seats and maintaining close accuracy in vote share estimates, with only limited deviations in specific cases.
