Will 100 year old Kadimi Mosque be removed from Krishi Bhawan? Clouds of crisis loom over mosque due to new tender

Delhi’s Krishi Bhawan complex is to be rejuvenated under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, but questions have been raised about the existence of the nearly 100-year-old Kadimi Mosque located in the same building.

CPWD had issued a tender last month for the redevelopment of Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan. According to the report of ‘The Indian Express’, in the detailed maps accompanying this tender, there is a provision to construct new Common Central Secretariat Buildings 4 and 5 after demolishing the existing buildings. Kadimi Mosque located in Krishi Bhawan complex has not been included in the new plan.

In such a situation, after the new tender issued for the reconstruction of Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan, it is feared that this historical mosque may be removed. Delhi Waqf Board has already expressed concern regarding this entire matter.

New buildings being built through Central Vista Project

Under the Central Vista and Common Central Secretariat project of the Central Government, many old government buildings of the Central Government are being demolished and new buildings are being constructed. Under this scheme, Krishi Bhawan and Shastri Bhawan are also to be rebuilt. For this, tenders are also being issued by CPWD.

What has the Waqf Board said in its statement?

The Waqf Board says that the Kadimi Mosque has not been clearly shown in the new maps related to this tender, due to which questions have been raised on its future. According to the board, this mosque is more than 100 years old and the mosque is even earlier than Krishi Bhawan and Namaz has been taking place here regularly since long ago. Muslim employees and officers also offer namaz regularly in this mosque. There is also a place for women to offer namaz in the basement of this mosque.

Waqf Board has gone to court

The Waqf Board says that even in the year 2021, the court was approached regarding the security of this mosque. However, at that time the government had assured that no damage would be caused to the mosque during the redevelopment. Although after this assurance, the High Court had rejected the petition, but had also said that if there is any threat to the mosque in future, the Waqf Board can go to the court again.

Now the Imam of this Kadimi Mosque is worried about the possibility of its removal. He says that this is not just a building, but a place associated with the faith of the people. At present, no official statement has come from the government regarding the removal of the mosque.