In a controversial move, a portion of the historic 185-year-old Noori Jame Masjid in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district was demolished by local authorities. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday (December 10), was reported by Indian media outlet NDTV. The administration claimed that the mosque encroached on public land along the Banda-Bahraich highway and was deemed an illegal construction.
According to the district administration, the Public Works Department (PWD) issued a notice on August 17, directing the mosque authorities to remove the encroaching structure. Despite multiple notices, no action was taken, prompting the demolition after the given deadline expired.
The mosque committee had filed an appeal in the Allahabad High Court challenging the decision. However, before the court could issue an order, the administration proceeded with the demolition, citing public safety concerns. Officials stated that the encroaching structure posed a risk to public safety due to its location on the road.
The move has sparked significant controversy and public outcry, with many questioning the legality and urgency of the administration’s action without a court directive. Critics argue that the matter should have been resolved through due legal processes rather than unilateral action.
This incident has reignited debates surrounding land encroachment and the treatment of religious structures in India, raising concerns over the balance between public infrastructure and heritage preservation.
