Two important mosques in Delhi, the Babar Shah Takiya Mosque and the Bengali Market Mosque, have received evacuation notifications from the Indian Railways.
The two mosques have reportedly received notifications from the Northern Railway administration requiring the clearance of encroachments within 15 days.
“If the encroachments are not removed within the stipulated timeframe,” the railway officials have warned, “they will take necessary action to reclaim their land.”
The railway administration has declared that “their land has been infringed upon illegally, and they are requesting the concerned parties to voluntarily remove any unauthorized buildings, temples, mosques, or shrines erected on their property.” The railway administration would take legal action to recover the encroached land in line with the Railway Act if the notice is not complied with.
The statement also said that “the parties responsible for the encroachments will be held accountable for any damages incurred during the process, relieving the railway administration of any liabilities.”
According to accounts, the Babar Shah Takiya Mosque is around 400 years old.
Additionally, the railway officials have sent a warning to the nearby Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for Malaria office requesting that the building be evacuated.
The ancient mosques have long played a significant role in Delhi’s religious and cultural scene.
However, the railway’s most recent assertion that it owns the property has sparked disagreements and disputes in the neighborhood.
The railway officials claim that the buildings were illegally erected on their property.
The mosque committee contends, however, that despite standing for centuries, these mosques have a great historical significance.