Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Owaisi Condemns Saharanpur Mosque Demolition After Court Orders
A mosque at a government office complex in Saharanpur was demolished early on Saturday.
Officials said a court found that it had been built illegally on government land.
A lower court ordered its removal, and another court later rejected the mosque committee’s appeal.
Asaduddin Owaisi disagreed with the demolition.
He said old records showed the mosque existed in 1911 or possibly earlier.
He also said people had prayed there for more than 100 years.
Opposition politicians criticized the action and questioned whether the mosque had been given enough legal protection.
Officials said they followed court instructions and increased security to prevent problems.
A mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex was demolished around 5 AM on Saturday following court orders.
The City Magistrate’s court ruled on July 17 that the structure occupied 315 square metres of government land and ordered its removal and approximately Rs 6.41 crore in compensation.
The District Judge’s court dismissed the mosque committee’s appeal on September 4.
Asaduddin Owaisi cited records dating to 1911 and argued that continuous prayer and possession gave the mosque legal protection.
Authorities defended the demolition as lawful, while opposition leaders criticized it and raised concerns about due process and the Waqf Board’s involvement.
- Who
- The mosque committee, Saharanpur authorities, Asaduddin Owaisi, and opposition politicians including Iqra Hasan and Imran Masood.
- What
- A mosque at the Saharanpur Collectorate was demolished after courts upheld an order declaring it an unauthorized occupation of government land.
- When
- The demolition occurred around 5 AM on Saturday; the City Magistrate issued its order on July 17 and the District Judge’s court dismissed the appeal on September 4.
- Where
- Inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Authorities said the mosque occupied government land illegally; Owaisi and other critics disputed that position and cited historical records, continuous use, and possible legal protections.
Critics and Mosque Representatives
Administration and Authorities
Historical status
Critics and Mosque Representatives
Owaisi said records dating to 1911 and more than a century of continuous prayers established the mosque’s long-standing existence. Imran Masood claimed it dated from before 1911.
Administration and Authorities
Authorities said the structure was an illegal construction occupying government land.
Legal protection
Critics and Mosque Representatives
Owaisi argued that continuous religious use could qualify as waqf by user and that long-standing possession raised issues under limitation and adverse-possession principles. Imran Masood alleged that the Waqf Board was not included in the proceedings.
Administration and Authorities
The administration said the City Magistrate ordered the demolition and that the District Judge’s court upheld the decision by dismissing the mosque committee’s appeal.
Due process and political concerns
Critics and Mosque Representatives
Owaisi said the mosque’s representatives should have been allowed to seek further legal remedies and accused the BJP of selectively targeting Muslim religious sites. Iqra Hasan and other opposition leaders also criticized the action.
Administration and Authorities
Authorities maintained that the demolition followed the court’s order and legal procedures, while security forces were deployed to maintain law and order.
- Location
- Saharanpur Collectorate complex, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Demolition
- Carried out around 5 AM on Saturday
- Land cited by authorities
- 315 square metres of government land
- City Magistrate’s order
- Issued July 17; ordered demolition and approximately Rs 6.41 crore in compensation over alleged encroachment and misuse of government land
- Appeal outcome
- The District Judge’s court dismissed the mosque committee’s appeal on September 4
- Historical records cited
- Owaisi and the mosque committee cited records dating to 1911; Imran Masood said the mosque may have existed even earlier
- Security measures
- Additional Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed, and social media was monitored for rumors
