# Centuries-Old Qadimi Mosque to Be Shifted From Krishi Bhawan for Central Vista Project, Centre Informs Delhi HC

> The Union government has informed the Delhi High Court that the century-old Qadimi Mosque located within New Delhi's Krishi Bhawan complex must be removed for the Central Vista redevelopment. Authorities stated that permanent religious structures on government office premises contradict the secular character of public land.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Delhi · **Published:** 2026-11-03 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/delhi/sentrala-vista-ke-tahata-krishi-bhawan-parisara-se-hategi-kadimi-masjida-kendra-ne-delhi-high-court-men-rakha-paksha-55678 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Krishi Bhawan, Qadimi Mosque, Central Vista, Delhi High Court, Housing and Urban Affairs, Tushar Mehta, Common Central Secretariat, New Delhi

As part of the ongoing Central Vista redevelopment in New Delhi, the century-old Qadimi Mosque situated inside the Krishi Bhawan complex will need to be cleared. The central government presented this position before the Delhi High Court through a comprehensive status report, submitting that maintaining a permanent religious establishment inside a central administrative facility is incompatible with the secular character of government properties.

## Land and Development Office Status Report
Submitted by the Land and Development Office (L&DO), which functions under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the status report detailed the legal ownership of the property. The government clarified that the land on which the mosque stands is owned entirely by the Centre. Under an agreement dating back to 1940, the mosque management committee had received only temporary possession. The report asserted that establishing or retaining any permanent religious structure inside central government office complexes cannot be sanctioned.

## Secular Character and Central Vista Master Plan
The authorities emphasized that public land within the central administrative precinct cannot be subject to permanent religious reservations. The current site occupied by Krishi Bhawan and the nearby Shastri Bhawan is slated for the development of Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Buildings 4 and 5, which constitute a project of national importance. Designating or partitioning any section of the redevelopment area for a specific religious edifice would run contrary to the Central Vista Master Plan.

## Article 25 Arguments and Alternative Facilities
Addressing contentions regarding religious freedom under Article 25 of the Constitution, the government maintained that a temporary arrangement on state land does not confer a fundamental right to offer prayers at a specific location. By way of alternative facilities, the government highlighted the Shahi Masjid Zabta Ganj near India Gate, situated within a two-kilometre radius of Krishi Bhawan. For decades, the Qadimi Mosque served as a regular prayer site for central secretariat employees working in Krishi Bhawan and neighbouring government departments.

## Managing Committee's Plea and Court Inquiries
The mosque's managing committee approached the High Court in September, seeking protection against demolition. The plea clarified that the committee was not opposing the broader redevelopment plan, but requested that the structure either be preserved or an alternate prayer space provided nearby. Earlier, in December 2021, the Delhi Waqf Board had approached the court regarding six mosques potentially impacted by the Central Vista development, during which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had provided assurances that these properties would not be touched.

Taking note of the government's current stance, Justice Anish Dayal questioned whether established rules exist that prohibit religious structures or prayer facilities within government premises. The bench further asked the government to clarify its formal policy concerning alternative spaces for various faiths. The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 23, allowing the mosque committee time to file its formal rejoinder to the Centre's status report.

## What this means for you
The legal framework regarding religious facilities within public and administrative complexes is moving toward greater clarity.

- **Across India:** The Union government's stance clarifies policy regarding permanent religious structures inside state administrative estates. This position could influence how legacy religious setups on public land are addressed in future administrative redevelopment projects across the country.
- **In New Delhi:** Personnel working in Krishi Bhawan and neighbouring ministries who used the site for prayers will need to use nearby alternatives. The government has identified the Shahi Masjid Zabta Ganj near India Gate, within two kilometres, as an accessible alternative.
- **Redevelopment Works:** The transition facilitates the planned construction of Common Central Secretariat (CCS) Buildings 4 and 5. Clearing the Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan zones ensures alignment with the broader Central Vista Master Plan layout.
- **Legal Clarity:** Judicial scrutiny regarding rules governing prayer spaces within government compounds will continue. The upcoming November 23 hearing is set to examine broader standards regarding alternative spaces across various communities.

## Why this happened
The move to remove the Qadimi Mosque from Krishi Bhawan stems from the requirements of the national administrative redevelopment project and the legal status of the land.

- **Central Vista Redevelopment Scheme:** The area housing Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan is earmarked for the construction of Common Central Secretariat Buildings 4 and 5. Retaining a permanent religious facility at the site conflicts directly with the parameters of the Central Vista Master Plan.
- **Land Ownership and 1940 Agreement:** According to Land and Development Office (L&DO) records, the property belongs entirely to the central government. An agreement from 1940 conferred only temporary possession upon the mosque management, precluding any permanent claim.
- **Secular Principle for Government Facilities:** The Centre submitted that housing a permanent religious edifice inside an administrative enclave contradicts the secular status of state property. On this basis, authorities disputed the contention that Article 25 confers a fundamental right to offer prayers at a specific public location.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Why is the Qadimi Mosque being shifted from Krishi Bhawan?
It is being cleared to make way for Common Central Secretariat Buildings 4 and 5 under the Central Vista project, and to uphold the secular character of government premises.

### 2. What is the government's stance regarding land ownership?
The Centre stated that the land is entirely government-owned, with the mosque committee having received only temporary possession under a 1940 agreement.

### 3. What alternative prayer venue has been cited by the government?
The government cited the Shahi Masjid Zabta Ganj near India Gate, located within two kilometres of Krishi Bhawan, as a viable alternative.

### 4. What did the mosque management committee request before the Delhi High Court?
The committee sought protection from demolition or an alternative prayer venue nearby, without opposing the wider redevelopment initiative.

### 5. What clarifications did the Delhi High Court seek from the Centre?
Justice Anish Dayal asked whether formal rules prohibit religious facilities on state premises and sought clarity on policies governing alternative spaces across various faiths.

### 6. When is the next court hearing scheduled in this matter?
The Delhi High Court has scheduled the next hearing on the matter for November 23.

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