Archive · 6 Oct 2026
BJP Minority Morcha Chief Defends Mosque Demolitions for Development
Kunwar Basit Ali, a BJP leader, spoke about religious buildings affected by development projects.
He said mosques should not be treated differently from temples when roads or other infrastructure need space.
He said religious sites may be moved and rebuilt.
He also accused Congress of misleading Muslims and encouraging protests, though the article presents this as his claim.
Ali said he believes the BJP will form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asked about restoring statehood before the 2029 Assembly elections, he did not give a definite timeline.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi understands the concerns of ordinary Kashmiris.
Kunwar Basit Ali said mosque demolitions linked to development should not be viewed through a communal lens.
Ali argued that temples and other religious sites are also relocated or rebuilt when infrastructure projects require it.
He cited temple changes in Uttar Pradesh, including alterations to part of the Gorakhnath temple complex.
Ali accused Congress of misleading Muslims and encouraging protests for political gain; these were his claims.
He predicted the BJP would form Jammu and Kashmir’s next government and did not specify when statehood might return.
- Who
- Kunwar Basit Ali, national president of the BJP Minority Morcha.
- What
- He defended relocating or demolishing religious sites for development and made claims about Congress and the BJP’s prospects in Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- Monday; the article does not provide a date.
- Where
- Srinagar.
- Why
- Ali said religious sites may need to be relocated or rebuilt to make way for infrastructure and development.
Development rationale
Concerns about communal framing
Religious sites affected by infrastructure work
Development rationale
Ali said mosques, temples, and other places of worship may be relocated or rebuilt when development plans require it, and that this does not imply religious hostility.
Concerns about communal framing
The article does not include a response from affected communities or another viewpoint disputing Ali's characterization.
Congress and public protests
Development rationale
Ali accused Congress of misleading Muslims and using issues such as the CAA, NRC, constitutional debates, and vote-theft allegations to encourage unrest for political gain.
Concerns about communal framing
No response from Congress or independent evidence supporting or rebutting Ali's accusations is included in the article.
- Speaker
- Kunwar Basit Ali, national president of the BJP Minority Morcha
- Location
- Srinagar
- Subject
- Relocation or demolition of religious sites for development projects
- Ali's position
- Such actions should not be viewed as communal if they are required for infrastructure and progress
- Uttar Pradesh example
- Ali said temples have been removed for development and portions of the Gorakhnath temple complex were altered
- Jammu and Kashmir election
- Assembly elections are due in 2029, according to the article
- Statehood
- Ali gave no definite timeline for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood