तुर्कमान गेट बुलडोजर का गोदी मीडिया ने बहुत प्रचार क्यों किया? https://youtu.be/987ZrHr3m5I Dr. Pradeep Mathur Dr. Shivaji Sarkar Dr. Tasleem Rahmani Dr. Muzaffar Ghazali
Chandni Mahal in Old Delhi functions as an extension of the city’s informal economy — tailoring shops, small traders, pedestrians, residents, and commuters sharing narrow lanes in constant motion. On Wednesday morning (January 7), however, the neighbourhood bore the marks of an emergency security operation.
According to the Joint Survey Report (JSR), authorities identified: 2,512 square feet of encroachment on a road belonging to the Public Works Department (PWD), and 36,428 square feet of MCD land encroached upon for non-religious, commercial uses, including a baraat ghar (wedding hall), parking facilities, and a private diagnostic centre (ThePrint).
Relying on these findings, the Delhi High Court, in its November 12, 2025 order, directed the PWD and the MCD to remove the encroachments. However, the court also directed that the mosque management committee must be granted a hearing before any coercive action was taken. This order formed the legal foundation for all subsequent administrative and enforcement actions. (The Times of India)
Administrative hearings and the MCD’s December 22 order. In compliance with the court’s direction, the MCD held two hearings on November 24 and December 16, attended by representatives of the mosque management committee, DDA officials, and L&DO officers (The Indian Express).
During these proceedings: Mosque committee moves the High Court again. Challenging the MCD’s decision, the mosque management committee filed a fresh writ petition before the Delhi High Court, seeking to set aside the December 22 order. The petition emphasised that: The mosque predated Independence; It was adjoined by a graveyard with no clear demarcation; the wedding hall and diagnostic centre had already ceased operations;
The committee had no objection to removal of commercial encroachments but sought protection for the graveyard. (The Hindu)
On Tuesday (January 6), a day before the demolition, Justice Amit Bansal heard the plea. The court recorded that the petitioner’s counsel stated there was no grievance regarding removal of the wedding hall or diagnostic centre, both of which had ceased operations.
The Demolition Begins Before Dawn
Although the demolition was scheduled to begin at 8 am on January 7, MCD teams arrived at the site around 1 am, accompanied by extensive police deployment. According to police officials cited by PTI and ANI, nearly 30 bulldozers and 50 dump trucks were mobilised. Heavy police deployment, including riot-control units, were present for the operation.
Senior police officers told ThePrint that tear gas shells were fired from one side of the mosque complex where stone-pelting was concentrated. The crowd was dispersed within about 30 minutes, after which the demolition commenced around 1:30 am.
The FIR invokes multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:
Conflicting Accounts: Locals vs police
The incident triggered political reactions across party lines. Congress leader Salman Khurshid said the situation “could have been handled differently” but added that since the court had found the action valid, “nothing else can be said” (ANI).
The BJP accused opposition leaders of justifying violence. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised remarks by Samajwadi Party leaders who described the stone-pelting as an “action-reaction” (PTI).
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood stated that the mosque was untouched and the action was strictly in accordance with court orders (ANI).
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi, who was present in the area prior to the violence, is under investigation. Police said he left before the demolition began but will be summoned to join the probe (ANI).
The larger context and present status
The Faiz-e-Ilahi Masjid had previously drawn attention after CCTV footage showed Dr Umar un-Nabi, accused of being involved in the Red Fort suicide bombing on November 10, 2025, offering prayers there hours before the attack. Authorities, however, have consistently stated that the demolition drive was entirely unrelated to that incident (ThePrint).
As of now:
The mosque and graveyard remain intact;
The commercial structures have been demolished;
Five arrests have been made;
The High Court has sought replies from authorities, with the matter listed for further hearing in April.
Delhi Police and the MCD maintain that the action was lawful, proportionate, and undertaken strictly under judicial directions, while urging the public not to be misled by misinformation circulating online. Police sources stated that social media posts falsely claiming the mosque itself was being demolished circulated shortly before the violence; and that these posts contributed to people gathering at the site (The Hindu, PTI)