NEW DELHI: A controversy surrounding the imposition of a ticket fee for offering Friday prayers at the historic Feroz Shah Kotla Fort has resurfaced, with Matia Mahal MLA Aaley Iqbal urging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to abolish the system, reported the New Indian Express.
The ASI, which manages the site, introduced a Rs 25 ticket fee in 2022 for all visitors, including those attending namaz at the Jami Masjid located within the fort. The agency cited restoration work and maintenance responsibilities as the reasons behind the decision. However, the move was met with widespread criticism from the local Muslim community.
Considered one of the oldest mosques built during the Tughlaq dynasty, the Jami Masjid has long been a significant spiritual site, attracting worshippers from across Delhi, particularly on Fridays and Eid.
MLA Aaley Iqbal, after a recent meeting with the ASI Director General and the mosque’s Imam, submitted a formal request to revoke the fee for those coming solely to offer prayers. “A detailed discussion was held, and we’re hopeful that the ticket system for Friday prayers will be removed soon,” Iqbal stated.
The ASI had initially launched a major restoration effort in 2019 to address structural issues and improve visitor amenities, but progress was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The work resumed post-pandemic, and the ticketing policy remained in place.
Community members continue to argue that religious worship should not be commercialized, especially in a mosque with deep historical and cultural significance.
