India: UP Authorities Give Zia-ul-Uloom Mosque Seven Days to Remove Structures Amid Demolition Fears
India: UP Authorities Give Zia-ul-Uloom Mosque Seven Days to Remove Structures Amid Demolition Fears
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Authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have issued a formal notice giving the management of Zia-ul-Uloom Mosque, located in the Tambour area of Sitapur district, seven days to remove structures they describe as encroachments on disputed land.
The notice warns that demolition action could follow if the order is not complied with, prompting concern among members of the local Muslim community over the mosque’s future.
According to the notice issued by the Revenue Department, the mosque and several nearby structures stand on land classified by the authorities as government property and land belonging to the village council. The notice also states that the costs of any removal carried out by the authorities would be charged to those responsible for the site.
The latest action comes amid an ongoing legal dispute over ownership of the land and the mosque’s legal status. The mosque’s custodian, Maulana Shahid Ali, and the associated Waqf body have previously approached the Allahabad High Court to challenge earlier decisions by the local administration. The outcome of the legal proceedings and whether they will affect enforcement of the latest notice remain unclear.
The notice has raised concerns among local Muslims, who regard Zia-ul-Uloom as an active religious centre used for prayers and community activities. Muslim and rights groups have also voiced concerns about the consequences of demolition measures before legal challenges have been resolved, calling for due process and equal application of the law.
Opposition groups and other public figures have questioned what they describe as a recurring pattern of demolition action involving mosques and religious schools in Uttar Pradesh. Local authorities, however, maintain that their action concerns alleged violations involving land ownership and encroachment on public property.
Attention is now focused on the mosque management’s response before the seven-day deadline expires. Calls have been made for the dispute to be addressed through the judicial process while safeguarding the rights of worshippers and the wider community.
