Mumbai– The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has demolished 13 shops owned by Noor Elahi Mosque on Mankhurd Link Road, triggering outrage among the mosque committee and local residents who allege political targeting of Muslim properties.
The shops, which had been functioning for over two decades, provided financial support to both the mosque and an attached madrasa. Locals and mosque officials described the demolition as “unjust” and “politically motivated.”
MHADA stated that the action was taken following a notice served on June 27, which claimed the shops were “illegally constructed” on land being used without the authority’s permission. The notice had warned that demolition would follow if corrective steps were not taken.
Expressing frustration, the mosque’s treasurer Fayyaz Ahmed said, “We kept running around to safeguard the property, but never expected such a large-scale demolition.”
Trustees of the mosque rejected MHADA’s allegations, pointing out that their attempts to protect the property through MP Sanjay Dina Patil failed after MHADA’s CEO allegedly admitted he was facing “pressure from above.”
They questioned, “Who is pressuring them? Why is action being taken against our property? The police and MHADA must answer.”
The trustees further accused BJP leaders Nitish Rane and Kirit Somaiya of pushing for the demolition, claiming they wanted control of the land. They also criticized MHADA for separating the mosque from its adjoining properties and then declaring the structures illegal.
The mosque committee has pledged to continue its fight to safeguard places of worship and Muslim-owned properties in the city.
