Afroz Alam Sahil for BeyondHeadlines
The demand to hold prayers in mosques protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is gaining momentum. Several prominent Muslim organizations, including Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, are committed to fighting for their rights until the very end.
Important documents obtained by BeyondHeadlines from the Delhi Waqf Board through the Right to Information (RTI) reveal that, according to the Delhi Gazette Notification, there are 827 mosques across the entire city of Delhi. However, only 193 of these mosques are managed by the Delhi Waqf Board, and prayers (Namaaz) are conducted in all of these under their control.
In response to an RTI request, the Delhi Waqf Board revealed that 156 Waqf properties across Delhi are reportedly under illegal occupation by the ASI. Among these, 38 mosques are listed as being illegally occupied.
This list includes several prominent mosques, such as the mosque at Delhi Golf Club, Moti Masjid within the Red Fort, Jama Masjid of Kotla Firoz Shah, Masjid Kohna at Purana Qila, Blue Masjid and Makhdoom Masjid in Green Park, Hauz Khas Masjid, Lodhi Road Masjid, Jamali-Kamali Masjid, a mosque inside Safdarjung Tomb, a mosque on Hailey Road, and Moti Masjid within the Hazrat Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki Dargah.
However, ASI officials deny these allegations. When questioned, an official responded, “Does the government ever engage in illegal occupation?” He further explained that the Archaeological Department only takes custody of heritage sites deemed historically significant.
On the other hand, the Archaeological Survey of India stated in response to an RTI that 33 mosques or mosque complexes associated with tombs fall under the list of central monuments managed by the ASI’s Delhi Circle.
Additionally, ASI shared a list of 12 mosques where prayers are still held. Among these, only three mosques—Palam Masjid, Neeli Masjid, and Sunheri Masjid—regularly hold namaz.
The story doesn’t end here. Documents obtained through RTI from the Delhi Waqf Board reveal that, apart from the Archaeological Survey of India, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) holds possession of 114 Waqf properties. Additionally, 26 Waqf properties are under illegal occupation by other government agencies.
Among these, 18 mosques are listed as being illegally occupied by the DDA, while 12 mosques are under illegal possession by various other government bodies.
The documents reveal that the Delhi Waqf Board once managed Neem Wali Masjid near the Railway Account Office on Old Rohtak Road, which the Railways have effectively taken over through illegal occupation. Similarly, the Madrasa Wali Masjid in Mehrauli is currently under illegal occupation by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
The documents also disclose that a small mosque at Lady Harding Hospital in Delhi, once managed by the Waqf Board, is now being used by the hospital administration as a storage room.
The situation becomes even more alarming as the documents show that 373 Waqf properties in Delhi are illegally occupied by powerful clerics and other influential individuals. This includes 138 mosques currently under illegal occupation.
