Residents urge calm after Delhi mosque demolition

Calm Prevails After Demolition Drive Near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque

A tense calm settled over the Ramlila Maidan area on Wednesday. Heavy police presence and barricaded lanes limited local movement after a demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque at Turkman Gate.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi police conducted the demolition of illegal structures early in the morning. This action led to demonstrations that became violent, prompting increased security measures. By daybreak, shops were closed, and movement through the usually busy narrow lanes was closely monitored.

Residents noted that the streets felt unusually deserted and tense. Azim Ansari, who operates a furniture workshop in the area, decided to stay home with his family. He said, “I couldn’t open my shop today as I decided to stay with my family in case the situation escalates. I hope this gets over soon and we go back to normal.”

In the main market area behind the Turkman Gate structure, a mix of residential and commercial units was present. Clusters of people stood outside their homes, discussing the situation with confusion and worry.

Around 3 p.m., panic arose when a burqa-clad woman was found crying near a barricade. She showed police photos of her missing son and his friend. Sanbari Khatun, 30, said she last saw them the previous night near a closed meat shop. Locals insisted the police open the shop, where they found the two children, both around 10 years old. A police official stated, “We have been here the entire night and did not hear any noise from there.”

At the DDA flats behind the mosque, residents reported that all entry and exit points were closed. Gates were tied with ropes, and police were stationed outside. Local resident Mohammad Sadiq questioned, “If there was court intervention and the next date has been given in April, what was the hurry?”

Several residents denied involvement in the alleged stone-pelting. Shehzad Khan, a member of the area’s Aman (peace) committee, noted that the mosque had existed for over a century, while the dispensary was built about four years ago, and the community hall had been there for over two decades.

Khan stated that the community had not disturbed the peace and planned to pursue a stay on the demolition through legal means. He said, “We will work to ensure peace while the government does its job. We are the people of Delhi-6; this is our identity. We didn’t do anything even when the Babri mosque demolition or the verdict happened; why would we fight over this?” He urged people not to take to the streets or resort to violence.