Heavy Police Deployment as 45-Year-Old Mosque Demolished in Jaipur

Heavy Police Deployment as 45-Year-Old Mosque Demolished in Jaipur
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Authorities in Jaipur demolished the 45-year-old Noorani Mosque in Malviya Nagar as part of a road-widening project, triggering criticism from residents and Muslim community leaders who alleged that they were not given enough time to respond.

The Jaipur Development Authority carried out the demolition on Monday morning amid the deployment of more than 3,000 police personnel. Internet services had been suspended a day earlier as a precautionary measure, with officials saying the move was intended to prevent rumours and maintain law and order.

The demolition was linked to a long-pending plan to widen a 1.5-kilometre stretch of Nandpuri Road from around 25–30 feet to its sanctioned width of 80 feet. Officials said several structures, including a mazar, two small temples and a satsang building, were also marked for removal.

Authorities maintained that notices had been issued in advance and that the structures were obstructing the road project. However, mosque committee members and community leaders said the mosque was privately purchased, built in 1981 and registered with the Waqf Board in 1988.

Community representatives said the matter was still pending before the Waqf Tribunal, scheduled to hear it on June 10, and questioned the urgency of the demolition. Local residents and political leaders urged the administration to handle religious structures through consultation and to preserve social harmony.