Mehrauli Gripped by Unrest as Controversy Surrounding Historic Mosque Deepens Amid Prolonged Police Blockade.
Abdullah Salam
NEW DELHI – Tensions continue to grip Mehrauli as a longstanding controversy surrounding a historic landmark unfolds. The Mehrwali mosque, boasting nearly 700 years of heritage, stands at the heart of a dispute over alleged illegal occupation, vigorously contested by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
Despite efforts to maintain peace with a stay order from the Khera court, the situation remains volatile as bulldozers have been deployed near the madrassa and graveyard, exacerbating local tensions. Residents have endured twelve days of extensive police blockades, severely hampering their access to the area.
Recent reports suggest that legal proceedings concerning Dargah Ashiqullah are adding fuel to the fire, with concerns mounting about the future of this revered site. Accusations of collusion between authorities and petitioners have surfaced, raising suspicions of the removal of the imam and tampering with evidence.
Locals express frustration over the apparent disregard for court orders aimed at safeguarding Mehrauli’s historical treasures, including the mosque, madrassa, and various shrines, all under threat from advancing bulldozers. Despite interventions by the judiciary, doubts linger about the conduct of the DDA, prompting calls for transparency and accountability.
As apprehensions grow about the preservation of Mehrauli’s rich heritage amidst this legal quagmire, residents fear irreversible damage to their cultural legacy. The outcome of the court’s deliberations regarding the fate of these iconic landmarks holds profound implications for Mehrauli’s future.
With tensions escalating, residents remain on edge, eagerly awaiting further developments as legal proceedings unfold under the scrutiny of the judiciary.