Century-old Race Course Mosque faces demolition threat near PM’s residence

Millat Times Desk

19 October 2026 (Publish: 09:36 AM IST)

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A historic mosque near the Prime Minister’s official residence in New Delhi is facing a possible demolition, with its imam alleging that officials from the Land and Development Office (L&DO) have asked him to vacate the premises within six days. The development has raised concerns among members of the Muslim community, who are seeking intervention to protect the religious site.

Mohammed Harun, who has served as the imam of the Race Course Mosque, said in a video statement that the mosque’s electricity and water connections were disconnected on October 7. 

He alleged that a team of officials from the L&DO, including Kunal Bhaskar, subsequently asked him to vacate the land, warning that the mosque would be demolished after the Race Course office was bulldozed.

Harun appealed to community members and people concerned about justice to help save the mosque. He also expressed disappointment with the Delhi Waqf Board, accusing it of failing to take effective legal action despite being informed about the situation for nearly six months.

According to the imam, he repeatedly approached Waqf Board officials after the electricity and water supplies were disconnected. However, he alleged that the board only wrote to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) regarding the utility connections and did not pursue further action.

Harun said the lack of basic facilities had made it increasingly difficult to maintain the mosque and carry out religious activities. He also claimed that access to the premises had been obstructed, making it difficult to bring drinking water into the mosque.

The imam further alleged that he requested the Waqf Board to approach the court but was neither given adequate support nor permission to pursue the matter independently. He eventually approached the High Court himself but said the case went against him because he lacked the board’s authorisation.

Harun maintained that the mosque was legally established and said it was included in the NDMC’s notified heritage list. He also referred to a survey conducted in the area in 2021, claiming that the mosque had not been identified as an unauthorised structure or encroachment.

In an emotional appeal, he questioned the Waqf Board’s response and urged its officials to intervene before the mosque was demolished.

Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan also raised concerns over the reported demolition plan. He said he had spoken with the imam about the L&DO’s alleged move and announced that he would visit the mosque on Monday.

Separately, the Delhi High Court has allowed civic authorities to evict slum dwellers living near the Prime Minister’s residence on Race Course Road. The court directed that the residents be provided with education, transportation, water and sanitation facilities at Savda Ghevra, a resettlement colony located approximately 45 kilometres away.

The reported threat to the mosque and the court proceedings concerning nearby slum settlements have brought renewed attention to developments in the Race Course area. The allegations regarding the mosque’s proposed demolition and the Waqf Board’s response require clarification from the authorities concerned.