‘Cannot Bulldoze Our Masjid’: Asaduddin Owaisi Slams Saharanpur Administration Over Demolition

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi strongly condemned the demolition of a mosque inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, September 5, questioning the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom for Muslims. Reacting to the early morning action by authorities, Owaisi cited legal and historical grounds, claiming that official records dating back to 1911 establish the long-standing existence of the place of worship.

Early Morning Demolition at Saharanpur Collectorate

The district administration commenced the demolition at approximately 5:00 AM following a judicial ruling upholding the structure's removal. Saharanpur DIG Abhishek Singh confirmed that local authorities executed the order after the District Judge’s court dismissed an appeal filed by the mosque committee on September 4. The court upheld a July 17 order by the City Magistrate, which had declared the structure an illegal encroachment on government land and imposed a penalty of approximately ₹6.41 crore. To prevent public unrest, security forces—including the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF)—were deployed across key areas. Saharanpur Mosque Demolished at DM Office Complex, SP MP Iqra Hasan Placed Under House Arrest.

Owaisi Questions Legal Basis and Constitutional Rights

Criticizing the state action in a detailed post on social media platform X, Owaisi argued that the mosque predates the civil collectorate building itself. "You cannot bulldoze our masjid just because you have an itch. My religious freedom is not dependent on your mercy," the Hyderabad MP stated. He argued that continuous public worship for over a century qualifies the property as "waqf by user" under legal protections and invoked principles of the Limitation Act and adverse possession against the government's claim over the land. Saharanpur: Demolition of Illegal Mosque in DM Office Complex Begins After Court Upholds Order.

Political Backlash and Security Measures

The demolition has sparked widespread political reactions across Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan alleged she was placed under house arrest in Kairana to prevent her from visiting Saharanpur. Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Masood asserted that the Waqf Board was not made a party to the judicial proceedings, adding that opposition leaders intend to challenge the action through legal channels. Local police continue to monitor social media platforms to curb the spread of rumors and maintain law and order.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2026 01:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).