AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday condemned the demolition of a mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex in Uttar Pradesh, questioning whether the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion applies equally to Muslims.
The mosque was demolished by authorities early Saturday after a court upheld an earlier order declaring the structure an unauthorised occupation of government land. Officials maintained that the action was carried out following due legal process.
Owaisi Questions Early-Morning Demolition
Reacting to the demolition, Owaisi said the mosque should not have been demolished before its representatives had an opportunity to approach higher courts.
“You cannot bulldoze our masjid just because you have an itch,” Owaisi said in a post on X.
He questioned why the mosque was demolished around 5 am on Saturday instead of waiting for further legal proceedings.
“Natural justice demands that they be allowed to approach higher courts,” he said.
Owaisi alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government did not want the matter to reach higher courts and accused the BJP government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of acting against constitutional principles.
Claims Mosque Existed Since 1911
Owaisi claimed that historical records establish that the mosque existed since 1911 or earlier and alleged that the Collectorate building was constructed later.
He said the mosque was built on land donated by a Muslim individual and remained in use until its demolition in September 2026.
Owaisi also argued that legal principles relating to “Waqf by User” and adverse possession supported the mosque’s claim, while alleging that authorities ignored these considerations.
However, officials have maintained that the structure was illegally occupying government land.
Alleges Targeting of Muslim Religious Sites
Owaisi accused the BJP, RSS and the Uttar Pradesh government of selectively targeting Muslim religious sites.
“They are demolishing shrines (Dargahs) and destroying graveyards. They are targeting only Muslims,” he said.
He also alleged that the BJP and the UP government harbour hostility towards mosques and the presence of Muslims.
Owaisi questioned whether constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and the rule of law were being applied equally in Uttar Pradesh.
“We want to ask the BJP, CM Adityanath and the prime minister, does the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion, framed by Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Constitution of India, not apply to Muslims?” he asked.
Mosque Demolished After Court Proceedings
The demolition followed a July order by the Saharanpur City Magistrate, which held that the mosque occupied around 315 square metres of government land and ordered its removal. The order also imposed a penalty of about Rs 6.41 crore.
The mosque committee challenged the order, but a district court subsequently dismissed the appeal. Authorities then carried out the demolition amid heavy security.
Owaisi alleged that the administration acted in haste and said the demolition raised serious questions about constitutional protections and the rule of law.
He urged the mosque’s management to approach higher courts and said AIMIM was ready to provide assistance through constitutional and political means.
Owaisi also said the demolition would not benefit the BJP or the Uttar Pradesh government politically ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
