A demolition drive began at Jaipur’s Noorani Mosque in Malviya Nagar on Sunday as authorities moved to clear structures for an ongoing road widening project. The mosque, built in 1981, was among several religious structures marked for removal, including a mazar, two small temples and a satsang building.
3,000 Police Personnel Deployed, Internet Suspended
Authorities deployed around 3,000 police personnel across the area, while internet services were suspended for 24 hours in parts of Malviya Nagar, citing law-and-order concerns. Police conducted flag marches ahead of the operation amid tension surrounding the demolition.
The administration said the heavy deployment was intended to prevent rumours and maintain peace during the drive.
Mosque Committee Says Notice Came Late
The mosque committee said the Noorani Mosque had stood on around 391 square yards of land since 1981 and had been used regularly for five daily prayers for more than four decades.
Committee members alleged they received the demolition notice only on Friday night and were not given sufficient time to respond. They also claimed the land had been purchased from a housing society approved by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA).
JDA Cites Road Widening Project
The JDA has termed the mosque an illegal construction and said its removal was necessary for a road widening project in the area, where congestion has persisted for years.
Officials said notices had earlier been issued to 143 properties linked to the widening project. According to the administration, 134 structures were cleared in May, while the remaining properties, including religious structures, were scheduled for removal in the latest phase.
Authorities also reportedly offered around 1,100 square yards of alternative land in the Kho Nagorian area.
Religious Structures Also Being Removed
Besides the Noorani Mosque, the administration said a mazar, two small temples and a satsang building are also being removed as part of the same exercise.
The demolition follows heightened administrative caution after clashes were reported during an anti-encroachment action involving a mosque structure in Mumbai’s Bandra area in recent months.
