Congress MP Imran Masood has attacked the demolition of a mosque at the Saharanpur Collectorate after a well was found at the site. The row has intensified with residents alleging illegality and Congress preparing a court challenge.
Congress MP Imran Masood has criticised the demolition of a mosque located on the premises of the Saharanpur Collectorate in Uttar Pradesh, calling the action illegal and accusing the authorities of creating a “state of lawlessness”.
The remarks came after the debris of the demolished structure was cleared and a well was found underneath the site.
Speaking to IndiaToday, the locals of the area expressed their anguish over the demolition and claimed that the mosque had existed at the location for decades.
‘HAVE SEEN THE MOSQUE SINCE 1990′
One local resident said he had seen the mosque since 1990 and had offered prayers there several times. Recalling his childhood visits to the court premises with his father, he said a cleric used to keep his belongings at the mosque and that the structure had long been part of the area.
The residents said that the action against the mosque was illegal and claimed the land on which the Collectorate stands originally belonged to Muslims. They said the mosque had been built when the land was under Muslim ownership.
They also reported that a temple had been built on land belonging to Muslims and claimed that no objection had been raised by the community over it.
WELL FOUND AFTER MOSQUE DEMOLITION
On the discovery of the well, the residents said wells were common at mosques and agricultural properties in the past, particularly when piped water and tanks were not widely available.
They said people used water from such wells for ablution before offering prayers, arguing that the presence of a well at the site did not indicate anything unusual.
Questioning the demolition, one resident said that the authorities should have first sealed the structure and followed the proper legal process before taking action.
MP IMRAN MASOOD CALLS IT ‘STATE OF LAWLESSNESS’
Imran Masood also questioned whether the law and judiciary were being respected.
“People can say whatever they want; I am talking about the law. They do not respect the law. They have created a state of lawlessness,” Masood said.
He questioned whether the judiciary and courts were being respected in the country, adding that there appeared to be “one law for me. And a different law for you”.
The Congress MP also questioned the demolition of the mosque and claimed that the action was carried out under political pressure.
