Another mosque faces demolition threat in UP days after Saharanpur razing
Mustafa Mosque threatened with possible bulldozer action amid concerns over Muslim religious sites in India
Lucknow: Days after the demolition of a century-old mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex sparked widespread outrage, authorities in neighbouring Moradabad have issued a demolition notice to the Mustafa Mosque in Pakbara area, intensifying concerns over action against Muslim places of worship in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Moradabad Development Authority (MDA) issued the notice under Section 27 of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Authority Act, 1973, around August 21, declaring the approximately 300-square-metre Mustafa Mosque on Delhi Road, near Teerthanker Mahaveer University in Mohalla Eidgah, unauthorised. The authority reportedly said no approval documents were produced during its inspection.
The notice demanded an explanation by early September and reportedly gave the mosque management a 15-day ultimatum to remove the structure, failing which demolition action could be taken by the authorities.
The notice has drawn renewed attention amid outrage over the recent demolition of the over 100-year-old mosque in Saharanpur. Critics have linked the two cases, saying that demolition drives targeting “unauthorised” structures are being used disproportionately against Muslim religious sites.
Critics have also raised concerns over what they describe as limited transparency regarding land records, short response periods and the threat of swift executive action against a functioning place of worship where Muslims continue to offer prayers. They have described such action as part of a broader pattern of aggressive measures against Muslim religious structures under the guise of “illegal construction” drives.
Mosque representatives and local residents have expressed alarm that the longstanding use of mosque could be disregarded and the prevailing post-Saharanpur climate could make it more difficult to secure a fair hearing or judicial relief.
Opposition leaders and community representatives have similarly linked the Moradabad notice to the Saharanpur demolition, warning that such actions could create a climate of insecurity for Muslim religious sites amid ongoing drives against alleged encroachments that they say disproportionately target mosques and mazars.
The timing of the notice, coming shortly after the Saharanpur demolition, has intensified allegations of majoritarian bias and raised questions over due process and equal application of the law in Modi’s India. The Mustafa Mosque case has emerged as another flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh, with calls growing for judicial scrutiny of the proposed demolition.
