MUMBAI – The local authorities in the Indian state of Maharashtra demolished a section of a mosque built 25 years ago under the pretext of illegal encroachments using heavy machinery, said the media reports on Thursday.
The officials from the municipal corporation arrived with machinery to demolish Subhaniya Mosque without any prior notice.
The incident triggered tension in the area, leading to a large gathering of people who protested against the administration’s actions, and chanted slogans condemning the biased move.
The mosque’s imam and committee assured that all construction-related documents would be provided, but the authorities disregarded this and proceeded with the demolition of a part of the mosque.
This action sparked outrage among the Muslim community.
Varsha, a Hindu member of the opposition Congress party, also came forward in support of the Muslims against the mosque’s demolition.
The opposition leader assured the Muslim population that she had requested intervention from the state’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who temporarily halted further demolition of the mosque.
Despite the Chief Minister’s orders, the municipal officials left with their machinery but threatened to return in eight days.
