NEW DELHI: Tension prevailed in northeast Delhi’s Seelampur over a dispute about the expansion of a mosque on Brahmpuri’s Lane No. 12. More than adozen Hindu families have put up “House for sale” posters, fearing communal clashes, especially with a Shiv temple located nearby.
Radha Verma, 60, whose house bears the ‘Makan bikau hai’ sign, reflected on lingering fears. “I remember when riots broke out here — my daughter-in-law was pregnant and we were terrified. No one should have to live in that kind of fear. While the mosque expansion might seem like a small issue, in a place where tensions escalate quickly, we feel we have to sell our houses and leave as soon as possible.”
Pandit Shankar had similar forebodings. “We have lived here for years, but don’t want to take chances,” he said. “With Ramzan going on and Holi approaching, we fear that religious processions might turn violent like in 2020. The Shiv temple on Lane No. 12 is just 10 steps away from the mosque on Lane No. 13, which they are trying to expand to an adjacent plot on Lane No. 12.
Sushila, 40, said, “These lanes are already too narrow and a larger mosque will only worsen disputes over space.” But residents of the Muslim-majority Lane No. 13 defended the mosque’s expansion. “We pooled money to buy the adjacent plot because the mosque isn’t big enough for all of us,” said Sahil. “Many people are forced to pray on the streets. They have complained about that, saying that they feel uncomfortable and understandably so. That is why we decided to expand the mosque. Rumours are floating about a new entrance but that’s false — the existing gate on Lane No. 13 will remain the only access.”
Mohammad Anzar, 30, insisted, “We are all very clear on the entrance issue and will ensure no further problems. There will be only one entrance, which is the existing one. We don’t want our neighbours who we have lived with for decades to leave.”
Some are questioning the legality of the new construction. Vishal, 39, who runs a grocery shop at the end of Lane No. 12, disclosed the unease among residents, “My family has run this shop for three generations, and we’ve seen small disputes over balcony extensions, parking issues or just quarrels. We, therefore, fear that even a minor issue can spiral out of control.”
Police are alert to the situation. A local reported, “Barricades were put up from 10am to 3pm on Tuesday and police closed the lane for a few hours. They removed the barricades when things calmed down. Overall, there is peace. Just a few people are trying to escalate the tensions unnecessarily.”
Meanwhile, the municipal corporation has apparently pasted a stop-work notice at the site.
Ashish Kumar Mishra, DCP (North East), said, “Al Mateen Welfare Society obtained MCD approval for construction of the mosque but concerns were raised about a new gate in lane No. 12. The managing body has agreed not to open it. Keeping in mind local sensitivities, construction was also halted and MCD issued a stop-work notice.” He added: “A later complaint alleged stone pelting on the intervening night of March 2-3, but CCTV footage and inquiries found no corroboration, nor was any PCR call made. No formal complaints or specific wrongdoing were cited, but police officers are patrolling on ground to ensure that law and order is maintained.”
