New Delhi: Tension prevailed in North East Delhi’s Seelampur over a dispute about the expansion of a Mosque on Brahampuri Lane Number 12. More than dozen Hindu families have put up “House for sale” posters, fearing communal clashes especially with the shiv Temple located nearby.
Radha Verma, 60, whose house bears the ‘ Makan bikau Hai’ sign, reflected on lingering fears. I remember when rights broke out here-my daughter-in-law was pregnant and were terrified. No one should have to live in that kind of fear. While the mosque expansion, my is a small issue, in a place where tensions escalate quickly, we feel we have to sell our houses and leave as soon as possible. “Pandit Shankar had similar phone foreboding. We have lived here for years, but don’t want to take chances” he said. “with Ramzan going on and Holi approaching, we feel that religious precessions might turn violent like in 2020. The Shiv temple on Lane Number 12 is just 10 steps away from the mosque on lane number 13, which they are trying to expand to an adjacent plot on Lane Number 12.
Sushila, 40, said, “these lanes are already too narrow and the larger Mosque will only worsen disputes over space”. But residence of the Muslim majority lane number 13 defended the mosque expansion. “We pooled money to buy the adjacent plot because the mosque is not big enough for all of us” said Sahil. “Many people are force to pray on the streets. They have complaint about that, saying that they feel uncomfortable and Understandably so. That is why we decided to expand the mosque. Rumours are floating about a new entrance but that’s false-the existing Gate on lane number 13 will remain the only access. Mohammed Ansar, 30 insisted. ” we are all very clear on the entrance issue and will ensure no for the problems. There will be only one entrance, which is the existing one. We don’t want our neighbours who we have lived with for decades to leave”.
Some are questioning the legality of the new construction. Vishal, 39, who runs a grocery shop at the end of Lane Number 12 disclose the unease among residents. My family has run this shop for 3 generations and we have seen small disputes over balcony extensions, parking issues or just quarrels we, therefore, fear that even a minor issue can spiral out of control.” police are alert to the situation. A local reported. Barricades were put up from 10: 00 a. M. To 3: 00 p. M. On Tuesday and police close the lane for a few hours. They removed the barricades when things calm down. Over all there is peace. Just a few people are trying to escalate the tensions unnecessarily.”
Meanwhile the municipal corporation has pasted a stop work notice at the site. Ashish Kumar Mishra, DCP North East said ” Al Matin welfare society obtained MCD approval for construction of the mosque but concerns were raised about a new gate in Lane Number 12. The Managing body has agreed not to open it keeping in mind local sensitivities, construction was also haunted and MCD issued a stop-work notice”.