Saharanpur, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : Maulana Sajid Rashidi has voiced strong opposition to the recent demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur, describing the act as a “stain” on the Constitution. In an interview, he expressed his outrage over the manner in which the mosque was destroyed, stating that it was carried out under the cover of darkness, with individuals detained to prevent any resistance.
Rashidi highlighted that the site remains associated with the names of Yaqub Khan and Waheed Khan, emphasizing the historical significance of the mosque. He accused local authorities of conspiring against the Muslim community, noting that the district judge’s orders were executed without allowing Muslims the opportunity to appeal in court, as they had just 22 days left to do so. He suggested that the demolition was politically motivated, aimed at furthering the agenda of the ruling BJP.
Maulana Yasub Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, also expressed his dismay. He pointed out that the mosque had stood since the 18th century and had a stay order in place. Despite this, the district magistrate dismissed the order and authorized the demolition. Abbas remarked that places of worship—be they temples, mosques, gurdwaras, imambadas, or churches—serve as sanctuaries for peace, and that there had never been any complaints regarding this mosque.
Adding to the outcry, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha drew parallels to recent events in Pakistan, where a century-old temple was also demolished. He questioned how India could present itself as a vibrant democracy in South Asia while witnessing such incidents at home.
The demolition has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from various leaders and community members, raising concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in the country.
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