New Delhi: The sealing of Jama Masjid Thano in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district has sparked concern among local Muslims, who allege that authorities acted beyond the scope of a court directive and shut down the entire mosque premises instead of a disputed section identified in legal proceedings.
Residents said the court order related only to a 20-by-40-foot portion of the mosque complex. However, officials from the local development authority sealed the full premises, restricting access to the mosque and related facilities used by the community.
The action led to tension in the area, with members of the Muslim community accusing the administration of exceeding its authority. They alleged that pressure from Hindutva groups, including Bajrang Dal and local Hindu organisations, influenced the operation.
The dispute gained further attention after Bhupesh Joshi, state convener of Kali Sena, visited the site during the sealing process. According to local residents, Joshi told mosque representative Asim Ali to vacate the premises by June 1 and suggested that his organisation would take action if the directive was not followed.
Residents stated that police personnel and administrative officials were present during the exchange. They alleged that no intervention took place despite concerns raised at the site.
Community members said the mosque has served Muslim families in the locality for decades. According to local resident Kasim Ali, the mosque has existed since 1978 and received formal registration in 2017. He added that a room built in 2023 had already been sealed by the Development Authority several months earlier.
Residents also said settlement records dating back to 1992 support the mosque’s existence and legal status. They rejected allegations that a madrasa operated from the premises and called for adherence to the court’s directive.
