The MCD’s aggressive push against illegal constructions has drawn sharp criticism from Congress’s Imran Masood, who posed a provocative question: ‘If a mosque was built before the Waqf Act, how can it be illegal?’ This challenge strikes at the heart of Delhi’s contentious urban renewal efforts.
Bulldozers moved in swiftly last week, leveling structures in densely populated areas. Among them, several mosques sparking claims of overreach. Masood, leveraging his political clout, rallied supporters and media, framing the actions as discriminatory.
‘These are not new encroachments but living pieces of history,’ he emphasized. Legal scholars note the Waqf Act applies prospectively, leaving pre-1995 sites under older frameworks like the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923. Masood demanded an immediate halt and comprehensive audits.
The political theater intensified with opposition leaders joining chorus. AAP defended MCD, citing public safety and city beautification drives. Yet, eyewitness accounts of hasty demolitions without notices fueled distrust.
Broader implications loom large. Delhi’s waqf properties number thousands, many embroiled in disputes. Recent government moves to amend waqf laws add fuel, with Masood accusing a hidden agenda to reclaim ‘prime land.’
Community responses vary: some applaud clearing slums, others mourn lost sanctity. As high court hearings approach, Masood’s words galvanize action. This clash pits progress against patrimony, testing India’s secular fabric. Resolution demands nuance, not sledgehammers.