Centre tells Delhi HC: 100-year-old Krishi Bhawan mosque must go for Central Vista

The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that the Qadeemi Masjid, a more than 100-year-old mosque located in Krishi Bhawan, must be removed to make way for the Central Vista redevelopment project. In an affidavit filed by the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the government argued that a permanent religious structure within a government office complex is impermissible and incompatible with the secular character of government property.

The affidavit was filed in response to a petition by the caretakers of the mosque, who have sought to restrain the authorities from demolishing, dismantling, removing, or otherwise disturbing the Qadeemi Masjid without first undertaking a fair, transparent, and reasoned consideration of its continued retention. The petitioners have also sought a prayer facility in the newly envisaged structures, noting that the mosque has served as a place of worship for government employees and others working in surrounding offices for several decades.

According to the government, the Central Vista Redevelopment Master Plan provides for the redevelopment and reconstruction of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Buildings 4 and 5 at Plot No. 120, covering the footprint of the existing Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan. The government described the construction of CCS buildings 4 and 5 as a public project of paramount national importance. The Qadeemi Masjid stands on the project site and is required to be removed for the execution of the project, the affidavit said.

“Krishi Bhawan and the Central Secretariat complex are secular public premises, dedicated exclusively to governmental, administrative and public service functions. The establishment or retention of a permanent religious structure, or a demand for one, within the confines of a central government office complex is impermissible and incompatible with the secular character of Government property,” the L&DO said in its affidavit. The government further stated that public land situated within a central administrative zone cannot be encumbered by any permanent religious reservation.

The affidavit also pointed out that another mosque, the Shahi Masjid Zabta Ganj near India Gate, is located within a two-kilometre radius of Krishi Bhawan and is fully functional to serve as a proximate prayer facility for anyone seeking one nearby. The government’s response came in pursuance of an order passed by Justice Anish Dayal seeking the Centre’s response on the petition by the Qadeemi Masjid’s caretaking committee. The matter is now listed for hearing on November 23.

The Qadeemi Masjid is situated on the premises of Krishi Bhawan, which is slated to be demolished as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. The case involves the government’s redevelopment plans and the petitioners’ demand for continued access to a place of worship. The court will examine the government’s position and the petitioners’ plea for a fair consideration of the mosque’s retention.