The New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has issued a public notice proposing the removal of the historic Sunehri Masjid in the capital, citing the need to ensure sustainable mobility in the area. The decision follows references from Delhi’s traffic police, sparking a debate over the balance between modern development and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Several architects have opposed the demolition, saying the mosque’s significance is beyond bricks and mortar. They argue that the Sunehri Bagh masjid is a testament to its historical legacy and architectural grandeur, urging the government to consider alternative proposals that address traffic concerns without compromising heritage. The architects propose a community consultation to explore solutions that harmonize the city’s infrastructure needs with the preservation of cultural sites.
In a letter to the chief architect of NDMC, they said, “Its demolition would result in an irrevocable loss to the cultural fabric and collective identity of our city. It would also deprive future generations of the opportunity to learn from and appreciate the tangible history of our ancestors.”
The architects advocate for alternative solutions to tackle traffic issues while preserving heritage, urging the government to prioritize conservation.
In the letter, they propose a community consultation to find solutions balancing infrastructure needs and cultural site preservation, saying, “Please let us not be remembered as the generation that prioritized convenience over conservation.” The architects stress the importance of considering proposals that address both concerns.
The Sunehri Masjid, located in the heart of Lutyens Delhi near Udyog Bhavan, faces a looming threat of demolition to alleviate traffic congestion. The mosque, believed to be 200 years old and constructed with lakhori bricks, earned Heritage III status in 2009 for its historical significance.
Historians and locals express deep concern over the potential loss of a structure closely associated with freedom fighters.
Historian S. Irfan Habib underscored the mosque’s illustrious history, citing its connection with Constituent Assembly member Hasrat Mohani.
“Sunehri Bagh Masjid is not just a mosque, it has a history that is closely associated with several of our freedom fighters. Hasrat Mohani, member of our Constituent Assembly used to stay here while attending the meetings. Care for its illustrious history,” wrote historian S. Irfan Habib on X.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president, Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing reservations about the NDMC’s notification and emphasizing the harm to the “shared cultural heritage.”
“We firmly believe that such an action would constitute a grave loss to our shared heritage. This mosque, with its profound historical significance, stands as a testament to our nation’s pluralistic ethos and the harmonious coexistence of various communities. Its existence is not only crucial for its architectural beauty but also for the spiritual and historical values it represents,” Maulana Madani said in the letter.
Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi, part of a delegation from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind that visited the mosque, urged Delhi residents to voice their opposition against the NDMC’s notification. He emphasizes the mosque’s historical significance, symbolizing the nation’s pluralistic ethos and the harmonious coexistence of communities.
A conflict over land ownership adds complexity to the situation, with the Delhi Waqf Board asserting ownership while the NDMC contends the land belongs to the government. The Delhi High Court recently concluded proceedings on the Waqf Board’s plea, citing “anticipation of action” by the NDMC.
In a recent court hearing, the Waqf Board’s main concern, as highlighted in their petition, centred around a joint inspection conducted without their presence, according to court records. Following a July 7 interim order, a joint inspection on July 12 produced a report, as acknowledged by the court.
Senior Advocate Sanjoy Ghose, representing the petitioner, expressed concern over potential extralegal actions, seeking protection from the court.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the NDMC, countered, stating there was no basis for such apprehension, affirming actions would adhere to existing regulations.
The court, acknowledging common ground, decided against further adjudication, directing parties to adhere to recorded undertakings.
“Since the parties have largely agreed on the aforesaid issues, therefore, at this stage, this court is not required to adjudicate the prayer any more. Accordingly, the petition stands disposed of along with the pending application,” the court said in its order dated December 18.
In an interim order on July 7, the court directed the maintenance of the status quo concerning the mosque, a directive periodically extended until December 18 when a single-judge bench decided to close proceedings based on developments.
“At this stage, learned counsel for the parties agree that a further inspection may be carried out in the presence of the representatives of the petitioner so that the petitioner’s views can also be taken into account”, the court said.
Please do not destroy the mosque, we cannot point a finger at anyone’s culture and if the mosque is destroyed it can attack people and it can also cause a lot of harm to us, so please do not destroy the mosque.
No we don’t Want to any thing but we want masjid
No we don’t Want to any thing but we want masjid
Sunheri baag masjid Bhi ab aap logo ko .. babri masjid lag rhi hai agar traffic 🚦 jama ho jata hai to traffic police officer Us jagah hona cahiye road ko clear kerne mai mandir – masjid ..
Tod _Tod ke sabke dilo ko kamzor ker rahe ho aap sab log sharam aana cahiye esi sarkar ko jo . Kisi Ibadat Kerne ki jagah ko hataye kyun ki yaad rakhiye gaa ibadat ki jagah per humesha uper wala mojud rehta hai . Tum Masjid hatao wo tumko apni Jannat Or Suarg Sea hata dega usne nhi kaha kabhi ki kisi ki bhi ibadat gaah ko hatao road Hata do itni taklif hai to ab Traffic Jaag to Accedent ke bad bhi ho jata hai koi hadse Mai bhi ho jata hai Or Oder day bhi kisi na kisi wajah sea traffic ho jata hai ab koi masjid thodi beech Mai aake car – Bike or wahano ko rook thodi leti hai Ye Masjid nhi Hatna Cahiye Kabhi bhi Kisi bhi jagah sea kbhi Na Mandir Hate or Na Masjid hate Kisi Ka Dil Na Tute kabhi or Tum Sab to uper wale ki jagah hata ker uske Dil ko dikhaa rahe ho kuch Sharm karo Desh ko aage badhao Naa ki ise peeche leke jao aap sea ye niwedan hai .. Ye Is Desh Ke Ek Aam Aadmi ka Jo is desh ke liye har waqt khada hai .. Sunheri Baag Masjid. Aabad Rahe Humesha .. Aameen 👐❣️
Nhi hatni chahiye Bhai hum smjh skte h app logo ko bhut bura lag rha honga kyuki hum smjh sakte h jab hmare Ram mandir ko todne ki baat krte h aap ke religion ke tb hume bhi bhut bura lagta h isliye hum aapko jrur support krenge
Masjid ko na hataye 🤲🤲🤲
Dear sir it’s my humble request to you that please don’t break this masjid because is not coming over the road it’s my humble request to you please don’t break this masjid it’s God house if you will be break the allaha house you will be punished by allaha subha watala in akhirate
Don’t destroy the mosque
Don’t destroy the mosque please
Don’t destroy the mosque please
Ateeb
Masjid ko naa hataayen
Masjid ko nahi hatana chahiye
Masjid ko mat hatao
Masjid nhi hatana chahiye
Nahin hatna chahie vahan se masjid Allah ka Ghar hai koi dukaan nahin samjhe bhaiya 👍
Insha allah aap log per Bharosa hai 👍
Nhi hatana chahiye
Nhi hatana chaiya masjid ko
Nhi hataye masjid ko
Masjid ko nhi hataye
Ham log ki masjid hai or rahe gi kyu masjid hata rahe ho masjid nhi hate gi
Hamari masjid ko na hatao
Masjid mat hatao Bharat bachao masjid mat hatao masjid apni jagah per sahi hai
Masjid mat hatao masjid mat hatao
Sunhari bag Masjid nahi hatana chaiye pls
We want masjid their only
Plss masjid ko na hatay pls baray meher bani 🥺
Kafi kuch ho sakta hai road ke traffic ke liye bhi hamare desh me ek se ek dimagh wale log hai unse sujhao le sakte hai
So Baray meher bani masjid ko kuch na kariye
Pls Masjid ko na hatay please
Sunhari bag masjid nahin hathana chahiye
Ye masjid na giraye
Ye masjid ko nahi todo
Masjid mat hatana chahiye pls
Please Masjid ko na hatao
Don’t demolish the mosque
No
masjid Allha ka Ghar h plzzzzzz ap es ko na hattao
Plsss masjid ko mat todo
Masjid mat hatana pls
Please don’t destroy masjid
Ye sab Karna munasib nahi hai sunahri baagh masjid thi hi kuch aour rasta apnana chahiye
Pls do not demolish the mosque. It’s a faith and belief of Muslims. And adjust the road accordingly.