Another Mosque in Gorakhpur Faces Demolition Notice
Gorakhpur, 24 February – (www.deccanlive.com): In Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, a newly constructed mosque named Abu Huraira Mosque has been issued a 15-day demolition notice by the local authorities. The notice claims that the mosque lacks proper building approval. However, local residents are angry and protesting, as this mosque was built on land officially allotted after the administration wrongfully demolished an old mosque at the same site.
According to legal rules, a building under 100 square meters (1,000 square feet) does not require official approval. Despite this, the authorities are using the lack of a building permit as an excuse to demolish the mosque.
Demolition Notice Issued on February 15
The notice was pasted on the mosque’s wall on February 15, and a copy was given to the mosque caretaker, Shoaib Ahmed. The Gorakhpur Development Authority (GDA) has ordered him to demolish the mosque within 15 days. If he fails to do so, the GDA will use bulldozers to demolish it and recover the demolition costs from the mosque administration.
Caretaker Files Appeal to Save Mosque
Shoaib Ahmed, the caretaker of Abu Huraira Mosque, has filed an appeal before the Commissioner to prevent the mosque’s demolition. This mosque was built with great enthusiasm in less than a year after an agreement with the authorities.
Old Mosque Was Demolished Overnight
Earlier, on January 25, 2024, the municipal corporation demolished the old Abu Huraira Mosque overnight. This demolition was carried out despite the mosque being legal and protected by a 1967 court order. When locals protested against the action, the municipal corporation acknowledged its mistake and allocated 550 square feet of land at the southwestern corner of the site for rebuilding the mosque.
The new mosque was constructed on this legally allotted land. Previously, the caretaker of the demolished mosque was Sohail Ahmed, who passed away last year. His son, Shoaib Ahmed, has since taken over his responsibilities.
1967 Court Record of Abu Huraira Mosque
Shoaib Ahmed explained that after a legal dispute, the civil court recognized Abu Huraira Mosque as legal on April 26, 1967. However, in January 2024, the local administration claimed the mosque’s land and demolished it along with 16 houses and 31 shops in Mewati Pur. The authorities are now constructing a multi-story parking lot on the site. Shoaib Ahmed emphasized that the old mosque was destroyed overnight.
His father, Suhail Ahmed, fought a legal battle with the municipal corporation, which later admitted its mistake. After six meetings, a resolution was passed on February 27, 2024, allocating new land at the southwestern part of the original site for rebuilding the mosque. Under Suhail Ahmed’s supervision, the mosque was rebuilt with public donations, and regular prayers are now held there. Shoaib Ahmed’s lawyer, Jay Prakash Narayan Srivastava, has filed an appeal before the Commissioner/Chairman, which was initially scheduled for February 18 but later postponed to February 25.
No Need for Approval of Building Plan
Shoaib Ahmed stated that the demolished Abu Huraira Mosque was very old. The 1967 court decree in the case Sheikh Muna vs. Idris & Municipal Corporation ruled in favor of the mosque. Additionally, two other court orders—Ram Chandra vs. Nagar Nigam and Preeti Pradhan & Nizamuddin vs. Nagar Nigam—granted a stay order on demolishing houses in the area. Despite these legal protections, the mosque was demolished at 2:30 AM on January 24-25, 2024, even though officials had assured locals that it would not be touched.
Regarding the building plan approval, Shoaib Ahmed said that when his father applied for approval, the municipal corporation dismissed the requirement, saying it was unnecessary for a small 500-600 square feet structure. His lawyer, Jay Prakash Narayan, also clarified that under the law, a building plan is not required for constructions on plots smaller than 100 square meters.
