# 125-year-old Race Course Mosque faces demolition threat as Asaduddin Owaisi and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq demand urgent intervention > A major controversy has erupted over a century-old mosque in Delhi after occupants were given a strict six-day notice to vacate the premises. Leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have urged the central government to intervene immediately. **Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-10-20 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/125-sala-purani-race-course-da-para-snkata-asaduddin-owaisi-aura-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-ne-jatai-chinta-49802 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Race Course Mosque, Delhi Waqf Board, Asaduddin Owaisi, Kiren Rijiju, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Tensions surrounding a century-old religious and historical landmark in the national capital have escalated sharply following directives that threaten its existence. Occupants associated with the site report being instructed to clear the premises within a compressed timeframe of just six days, triggering deep concern across religious and political spheres. Prominent leaders have expressed strong disapproval of the administrative actions and questioned the handling of the situation. ## Administrative Actions and Infrastructure Cut-Offs The core of the dispute involves the 125-year-old historic Race Course Mosque, where individuals connected to the management stated they received strict orders to vacate. The situation worsened significantly when utility lines supplying electricity and water to the complex were completely severed. According to accounts from those managing the site, the Land and Development Office shut all entry gates, making it extremely difficult for regular worshippers to access the mosque for daily prayers. ## Political and Community Leaders Raise Concerns All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi strongly condemned the developments and reached out directly to Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, urging immediate governmental intervention. Owaisi pointed out that the site has maintained its status as a registered waqf property since 1977, yet the Waqf Board failed to mount any legal challenge against the demolition threat. He added that since the Delhi Waqf Board has lacked a formal constitution since 2023, the responsibility to address the crisis falls squarely upon the central ministry. ## Waqf Status and Heritage Recognition Official records indicate that the structure has been recognized as a notified waqf property alongside its designation as a heritage site. Addressing the issue on social media, Kashmiri religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq questioned how any legal protections could remain valid if a properly registered waqf asset faces such threats. He criticized waqf authorities for failing to defend the property and questioned whether such actions are becoming a recurring trend for places of worship belonging to minorities. ## The Hujra Kuwan Mosque Controversy Prior to these developments, Owaisi had also spoken out against attempts to dismantle the nearby historic Hujra Kuwan Mosque. He highlighted that worshippers were being barred from offering prayers at the location and that caretakers had faced intimidation without receiving any formal written notice regarding the matter. He argued that such arbitrary actions validate existing fears concerning the misuse of protective religious legislation. ## Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Submits Memorandum In response to the unfolding crisis, the religious organization Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind stepped forward to press for official safeguards. A delegation headed by the organization's general secretary, Maulana Mohammad Hakimuddin Qasmi, met with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to submit a formal memorandum. The petition requested comprehensive protection for both the Race Course Mosque and the adjoining graveyard situated behind Safdarjung's Tomb, alongside immediate restoration of water and electricity services to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of prayers. ## What this means for you This controversy directly affects local worshippers in the capital and broader questions regarding the legal protection of historic religious landmarks. - **In Delhi:** Local worshippers face severe disruptions in daily prayers due to shut gates and the complete disconnection of water and electricity supplies at the mosque premises. The strict administrative steps have caused considerable anxiety among residents. - **Across India:** The incident raises significant questions regarding the legal safeguards protecting notified waqf properties and historical sites nationwide. It has intensified debates concerning the security of minority places of worship. ## Why this happened The controversy emerged due to eviction notices issued by land and development authorities alongside administrative gaps in the management of waqf properties. - **Eviction Notice:** Authorities issued a strict deadline giving occupants six days to vacate the premises while cutting off vital utility services. - **Waqf Board Inaction:** The absence of a formally constituted Delhi Waqf Board since 2023 left the institution unable to challenge the demolition orders effectively. - **Administrative Conflict:** Action is being pursued against the historic structure despite its documented status as a notified waqf property and heritage site since 1977. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Which historic mosque in Delhi is currently facing a controversy? The 125-year-old historic Race Course Mosque in Delhi is at the center of the dispute. ### 2. How much time have authorities given to vacate the premises? Occupants have been given a notice of six days to clear the complex. ### 3. Who demanded intervention from the Union Minister regarding this matter? AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi urged Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to intervene. ### 4. What official status does the mosque hold? The mosque has been a notified waqf property since 1977 and is also listed as a heritage site. ### 5. Which organization submitted a memorandum regarding the mosque? Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind submitted a formal memorandum to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._