“Yes, that (illegal construction) happens, but what’s important here is that because it’s a mosque and belongs to Muslims, it was stopped. Had it been a temple, it wouldn’t have been stopped. There would be no one to stop it; they would say it’s a matter of faith. Then it becomes a matter of faith, and nobody stops it,” he said.
“In the eyes of the law, everyone should be equal, but that is simply not the case anymore,” Raj added.
The demolition operation was carried out late at night, with a heavy security deployment at the site. Police and paramilitary personnel were stationed in the area, while security forces were also deployed on surrounding roads as the operation continued.
Several municipal officials, along with bulldozers and dumpers, were present during the drive. Portions of the Madina Mosque and structures adjoining it were demolished.
According to local residents, preparations had been made for the demolition of portions of the approximately 30-year-old Madina Masjid, located in Shalimar village.
Civic authorities, however, maintained that the structures removed during the drive were illegal encroachments on public land. Officials said the action was part of an approved road-widening project aimed at removing structural bottlenecks and improving traffic movement along the stretch.
The demolition has drawn political attention, with Raj questioning whether similar enforcement action is being taken against illegal constructions irrespective of the religious identity of the structures involved.
With IANS inputs
