Central Vista Project: Government Seeks Removal of Mosque from Agriculture Building Complex
The Indian government has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court to remove a mosque from the Agriculture Building as part of the Central Vista redevelopment.
New Delhi, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian government has approached the Delhi High Court seeking the removal of a mosque located within the Agriculture Building complex as part of the Central Vista Project. In its affidavit, the government argued that the mosque contradicts the secular character of government property and should be dismantled.
The affidavit states that the removal of the historic mosque is necessary to facilitate the redevelopment of Common Central Secretariat Buildings 4 and 5, which are crucial components of the Central Vista redevelopment master plan. The government emphasized that this project is a significant national initiative and that the mosque’s presence is hindering its implementation.
The government further contended that establishing or maintaining a permanent religious structure within the confines of any central government office complex is unacceptable and goes against the secular nature of government property. It asserted that no permanent religious construction should exist on public land within the Central Administrative Area.
According to the affidavit, both the Agriculture Building and the Central Secretariat complex are secular public spaces, specifically dedicated to government, administrative, and public service functions. Thus, maintaining a religious structure within this area is deemed inappropriate.
Additionally, the government noted that a mosque located within a two-kilometer radius of the Agriculture Building, specifically the Royal Mosque at Jabtaganj, is fully capable of serving the local community’s prayer needs. Therefore, the government argues that there is no necessity for a separate mosque within the Agriculture Building complex.
The affidavit stated that the government cannot be compelled to allocate or designate a separate space for the mosque within the Agriculture Building or the Central Secretariat complex, asserting that providing such space in a public administrative area would violate secular principles.
As part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, the government is replacing several old buildings with new Common Central Secretariat structures, and the Agriculture Building complex is included in this redevelopment plan.
