Worshippers gathered at Delhi’s historic Race Course Masjid on Friday to offer Jumma prayers under police surveillance, as uncertainty continues over the future of the Waqf-notified mosque near the Prime Minister’s official residence.
An emotional dua by the imam moved worshippers as concerns grew over the mosque’s protection amid ongoing land clearance and redevelopment activities in the area.
The gathering came days after the Delhi High Court refused to order the restoration of the mosque’s electricity and water connections, which were disconnected on October 7. The court dismissed a petition filed by the mosque’s imam, Mohd Haroon, who had sought the restoration of essential services.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee dismissed Haroon’s petition on October 15.
During the hearing, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) argued that restoring the connections was not feasible while demolition work and the removal of informal settlements were underway.
The civic body cited public safety concerns and said the Land and Development Office (L&DO), which is overseeing the work and is expected to take possession of the land, had not been made a party to the case.
The NDMC also argued that the mosque premises were covered by an August 25 High Court judgement that cleared the way for the eviction of around 700 slum dwellers near the Prime Minister’s residence.
The residents have since been relocated to Savda Ghevra, around 50 kilometres away.
In its order, the High Court noted that the Delhi Waqf Board, described as the “original occupant” of the premises, had not challenged the disconnection of the utilities. It also observed that Haroon, who was appointed as imam by the Waqf Board, had not established an independent right to the property that would support his claim of a violation of fundamental rights.
The court said the petition involved “serious disputed question of facts”, including whether Haroon had any right, title or interest in the premises and whether the mosque fell outside the scope of the August 25 judgement. It held that these questions could not be resolved within the scope of the writ petition.
The Delhi Waqf Board wrote to the NDMC’s executive engineer on October 8, seeking restoration of the electricity and water connections. The board said the services had been disconnected without “any prior notice or apparent valid reason”, despite all dues having been paid. It also stated that the mosque had maintained a lawful electricity connection since 1976.
On October 19, the board approached the L&DO, requesting protection for the mosque and its adjoining graveyard and restoration of essential services.
A Delhi Administration gazette notification dated September 8, 1977, lists the mosque and graveyard as Waqf property under entry number 18. The property, covering two bighas, is described as being behind Safdarjung Tomb.
The mosque is a Grade II heritage structure notified in 2009 and is located within the approximately 53-acre Race Course Club complex near 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The Centre has cited national security as the reason for taking possession of the area, where clearance and demolition proceedings have also affected nearby slum settlements.
The Waqf Board and the imam have described the mosque as more than a century old, with a capacity of around 800 worshippers. The board’s claim to the property and the mosque’s future have become central concerns amid the ongoing land-related proceedings.
The dispute has prompted political leaders and religious organisations to seek the Centre’s intervention. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has asked Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to intervene. A delegation of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has also submitted a memorandum requesting that no demolition take place until the legal dispute is resolved.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has expressed concern over reports of an eviction notice. However, government sources told The Indian Express that no eviction notice had been issued to the mosque, while Haroon has maintained that officials asked him to vacate the premises.
The Delhi Waqf Board has had no elected body since the previous body’s term ended in August 2023. Officials appointed by the Lieutenant Governor took charge in January 2024 and have administered the board since.
As worshippers continue to gather for prayers, the dispute raises questions about the future of the historic religious site, the restoration of its basic utilities and the legal process governing the proposed land clearance. The Waqf Board’s request for protection and the competing claims over the premises remain key aspects of the ongoing controversy.
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