New Delhi, Nov 4 Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Wednesday strongly opposed the proposed removal of a mosque in the Krishi Bhawan complex here, saying the government’s assertion that the mosque is incompatible with the “secular” character of the public property exposes its “biased and communal mindset”.
The Muslim body’s assertion came after the Centre told the Delhi High Court that a century-old mosque in Krishi Bhawan has to be removed as the establishment of a permanent religious structure within the confines of a government office complex is impermissible and incompatible with the “secular” character of government property.
The government said the Central Vista Redevelopment Master Plan provides for the redevelopment and reconstruction of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Buildings 4 and 5 at Plot No. 120, covering the footprint of the existing Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan to modernise the infrastructure essential to the governance of the nation.
In a statement, JIH vice president Malik Moatasim Khan said the government’s claim raises a basic question as to where is the rule that prohibits prayer facilities for any faith in government complexes.
“Secularism means equal treatment of all religions, not using it as a reason to remove a long-established place of worship. The Centre must disclose the legal basis for its position, explain how the mosque’s history and longstanding use have been considered, and ensure that no irreversible action is taken while the matter is before the court,” he said.
Claiming that the Qadeemi Masjid predates the Krishi Bhawan complex, Khan said the fact is that government offices were built around the Qadeemi Masjid, not that the masjid encroached upon an established office complex.
“The mosque’s Waqf notification in 1970 and the 1940 agreement recognising its use for prayers are matters that must be properly considered. The government cannot treat this history as irrelevant or unilaterally extinguish the mosque’s longstanding religious use for the sake of a redevelopment project,” he said.
The Centre has told the court that the construction of CCS buildings 4 and 5 is a public project of paramount national importance. The Qadeemi Masjid stands on the project site and is required to be removed therefrom for the execution of the project, it added.
“Krishi Bhawan and the Central Secretariat complex are secular public premises, dedicated exclusively to governmental, administrative and public service functions. 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 L&DO, which comes under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), made the submission in an affidavit filed in the high court.
(PTI News)
