A historic mosque near Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence in New Delhi has been served a six-day eviction notice, triggering concerns among Muslim organisations over the future of the place of worship.
The Land and Development Office (L&DO) issued the notice on October 19, declaring the Race Course Mosque an unauthorised structure on government land and directing that the premises be vacated within six days.
The mosque is listed as a heritage property on the New Delhi Municipal Council’s website. Its representatives have also claimed that electricity and water supplies were disconnected on October 7, raising concerns about worshippers’ access to the site.
The dispute centres on the mosque’s legal status. While the L&DO maintains that the property stands on government land without authorisation, Muslim organisations argue that it has historical and religious significance and should be protected.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has urged Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to intervene, arguing that the mosque has been recorded as a Waqf property in the official gazette since 1977. He also questioned the Delhi Waqf Board’s failure to challenge the eviction or demolition order.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind met Rijiju and submitted a memorandum seeking protection for the mosque and its adjoining graveyard. The organisation also called for the restoration of electricity and water supplies and urged authorities to ensure that worshippers could enter the premises to offer prayers.
The dispute has renewed debate over the protection of historic religious sites and the legal status of properties claimed by religious organisations. The mosque’s immediate future remains uncertain as calls grow for government intervention.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 20 Oct 2026, 22:00.
