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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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
