Why Centre wants 100-year-old Qadeemi Masjid inside Delhi’s Krishi Bhawan to be demolished
New Delhi: The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that the more than 100-year-old Qadeemi Masjid inside Delhi’s Krishi Bhawan must be removed as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. The government has argued that allowing a permanent religious structure inside a central government office complex would be incompatible with the secular character of public property.
In an affidavit filed before the High Court, the Centre said Krishi Bhawan and the Central Secretariat complex were meant exclusively for administrative work, government functions and public services.
“The establishment or retention of a permanent religious structure, or a demand for one, within the confines of a central government office complex is impermissible and incompatible with the secular character of Government property,” the Centre’s counsel Nishant Gautam said.
The government also pointed out that the mosque stands on land administered by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) and does not have any permanent legal rights over the property.
Centre rejects demand for alternative land
According to the Centre, the mosque’s managing committee was allowed to use the premises under an agreement dated November 8, 1940. However, the arrangement did not grant the committee any ownership or legal interest in the land.
The government has also rejected the committee’s request to preserve the mosque or provide an alternative location for its relocation. The Centre said another mosque was situated within a two-kilometre radius of Krishi Bhawan and could be used by those wishing to offer prayers in the area.
The redevelopment plan proposes replacing the existing Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan with new Common Central Secretariat buildings, identified as Buildings 4 and 5.
What Mosque Committee told Delhi High Court
The affidavit was filed in response to a petition by the caretaking committee of Qadeemi Masjid which approached the court over concerns that the structure could be demolished during the redevelopment work.
During the November 2 hearing, Justice Anish Dayal asked the Centre whether any specific rules prevented the government from providing prayer space for a particular community within its premises. The court directed the Centre’s counsel to convey the question to the Additional Solicitor General.
The mosque committee has maintained that it does not intend to obstruct the Central Vista project. Instead, it wants a prayer facility to continue within the newly planned buildings.
Senior advocate Salman Khurshid, appearing for the petitioners during an earlier hearing on September 17, had invoked Article 25 of the Constitution, arguing that the community’s right to freedom of religion should be protected.
The Centre, however, maintained that Article 25 does not give anyone the right to insist on worship at a particular location on government land held under a permissive arrangement.
Why Qadeemi Masjid is at the Centre of dispute
Qadeemi Masjid is believed to be more than a century old and is located inside the Krishi Bhawan compound on Dr Rajendra Prasad Road. The mosque reportedly predates the construction of the government complex and has served Muslim employees working in Krishi Bhawan and nearby offices.
The Delhi Waqf Board notified the structure as a Waqf property in 1970, adding another dimension to the dispute.
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the matter next on November 23. The court’s consideration of the Centre’s arguments and the mosque committee’s request will be crucial in determining the future of the historic place of worship.