Agricultural lands pose threat to ancient mosque

The situation regarding the Krishi Bhawan mosque is changing due to the Central Vista Redevelopment Project in the capital Delhi. According to a recent report, the tender documents issued by the CPWD on January 19, 2026, for the reconstruction of Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan do not explicitly include the mosque in the list of buildings to be demolished. However, the map attached to the tender does not show the mosque in its original location in the proposed new building map. The last date for bidding is February 13. The estimated cost of the CCS 4 and 5 projects is Rs 3,006.07 crore, which is to be completed in 24 months.

It is worth noting that government employees offer prayers at the ancient mosque located in the Krishi Bhawan complex. The series of demolitions of religious sites is ongoing in the capital Delhi. Several religious sites, including mosques, dargahs, and other religious buildings, have been demolished. Now, the ancient mosque in the Krishi Bhawan complex is in the headlines, with clouds of danger looming over it. An attempt has been made to compile some details regarding this mosque.

The ancient mosque in the Krishi Bhawan complex is listed in the Delhi Administration Gazette published in 1970. The gazette, dated April 16, 1970, mentions the Krishi Bhawan mosque on page 308, serial number 20. However, the Krishi Bhawan mosque is not included in the list of archaeological sites.

Advocate Farhat Jahana Rahman, counsel for the Delhi Waqf Board, had a detailed conversation with a UNI representative regarding the Krishi Bhawan mosque. She stated that no notice of any kind has been received regarding the mosque. She mentioned that in 2021, she had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, which included six mosques. Following this, on July 22, 2024, the Delhi High Court issued an order stating that these mosques were not under any threat. Justice Prathiba M. Singh said that if any danger is perceived from the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, the court should be approached immediately.

Advocate Farhat Jahana further stated that the six mosques included the Masjid Zabita Ganj, India Gate, Jamia Masjid, New Delhi, near Parliament House, Masjid Sunehri Bagh Road, Adhyog Bhawan, Masjid Krishi Bhawan complex, Rafi Marg, and Masjid Vice President House. Meanwhile, the Mazar Sunehri Bagh, Moti Lal Nehru Marg, was demolished in 2023 under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project.

Advocate Farhat Jahana, citing the Delhi Waqf Board committee, said that "my hands are currently tied as a lawyer because the board has not been functioning officially since August 26, 2023, as the former CEO, Azimul Haq, retired on December 31, 2025, and no new CEO has been appointed." As a result, the Waqf Board is operating without a head, making it difficult to take important decisions.

Advocate Farhat Jahana stated that she would go to court with full preparation and investigation regarding the ancient mosque in the Krishi Bhawan complex. She said, "Our stance is quite strong, as the Krishi Bhawan mosque is a place of worship that has been around for over a hundred years. It is also clear that the Krishi Bhawan mosque was present before the Krishi Bhawan government building."

Amanatullah Khan, former chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, told a UNI representative that "when we filed the petition, the central government told the court that the mosque would not be affected. Now, a strategy will be devised for the next course of action. Let's see what can happen." Section Officer Abdul Rehman of the Delhi Waqf Board also provided important details in the preparation of the report.